[GeorgeSSS]

We now have three drivers to follows: Jenson, Sergio and Lewis.

Jenson is taking a 5 spot penalty for a gear box change, so we are off to a crazy start.

There is no rain in the forecast (for once). Rain could actually have been a good thing for us.

If Vettel does well here, for Alonzo it will be "deja vu all over again." (a quote from a famous American baseball player).

Where the heck are my chopsticks?

 

[6th element]

OK George, I'll play along, again.

It will be eventful. Lewis will start P1 but a problem in the pits will drop him back to an eventual 3rd. There will be controversy about his pit crew telling him to stuff it, now that he is moving on. Jenson will qualify badly and his 5 spot penalty will make things worse, but he will fight back as he is a precise driver and this track demands precision. He would have a shot at the podium, if not for the DRS zone being shortened this year compared to last, limiting his ability to overtake slower cars. Alfonso will ride his lucky horse-shoe again, capitalizing on the misfortune of others, all the way to 2nd. Seb will be on a tear, with the WDC in his sights. He will win.

I see that somebody complained that RB and Mc have illegal front wings. Whoever could that have been? I don't know, but it seems all teams have passed the inspection; only question is did they have to bring a lower performance wing to do it.

Also, double-DRS is banned for next year. So, the only advantage that is keeping Merc cars from truly wrestling with the bottom-feeders is kaput in 2013. They must be thinking an entirely new design, then, to give LH a competitive car. Big task.

Sergio? He will run well, but perhaps try a bit too hard with the spotlight on him intensifying. As a result and uncharacteristically, he will burn up his tires. 10th.

 

[6th element]

So, what did you think, George? Not a stellar race for the McLaren squad, although they did both gain a little ground on Alfonso. Not as much as Vettel, tho... his pace and composure at the front looks ominous. Do love how he was still putting in fastest laps right up until the end, though - good show.

Have to congratulate Massa for turning his season around. Funny how even the pit strategy works out for him when he isn't being treated like a bridesb*tch.

Kamui!! Great for him at his home race. Enjoyed watching the closing laps with Button trying to charge him down.

Checo!!! Ballsy move on Hamilton, at least the first time around! He sure had the red mist when he saw Lewis up ahead, huh? Good on 'im, racy chap. Methinks Lewis may have brake-checked him just a little the second time, but that is experience for you....

 

[Jerry]

An early view of next season for Hamilton? Is he going to have to get used to qualifying 9th, finishing off the podium and being overtaken by Perez?

Nice to see Kobayashi get a podium in his home race.

 

[6th element]

An early view of next season for Hamilton? Is he going to have to get used to qualifying 9th, finishing off the podium and being overtaken by Perez?

Nice to see Kobayashi get a podium in his home race.

At this point I would have to assume you are right. But certainly Brawn is due for another competitive car? I read Hamilton's comments that he doesn't expect to win next year, but surely that is sandbagging. They aren't going to write off the whole season already!?

 

[AugustWest]

Dear FIA:

By now you may have noticed a particular new(ish) driver for the Lotus F1 team by the name of Romain Grosjean. He has been instrumental in altering the outcomes of 8 races so far this year (while not appearing at the end of very many of them).

I know you're at all the races 'n all, but perhaps you need a reminder?

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_8149336,00.html

Perhaps it's time he be relegated to Safety Car driver? Oh I know that's a hugely ironic move, but I'm thinking that it might be possible for him not to remove any more major players before the first corner.

Sincerely,

A fan.

 

[Peloton25]

Dear FIA...

Add my signature before you send it please.

Third place for Kobayashi was the only redeeming quality for this race and despite being a McLaren fan I was really rooting for Jenson to let him keep it in the last few laps.

>8^)
ER

 

[LS1TOY]

Dear FIA:

By now you may have noticed a particular new(ish) driver for the Lotus F1 team by the name of Romain Grosjean. He has been instrumental in altering the outcomes of 8 races so far this year (while not appearing at the end of very many of them).

I know you're at all the races 'n all, but perhaps you need a reminder?

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_8149336,00.html

Perhaps it's time he be relegated to Safety Car driver? Oh I know that's a hugely ironic move, but I'm thinking that it might be possible for him not to remove any more major players before the first corner.

Sincerely,

A fan.

Agree. Something needs to be done.
Being an Aussie, I'm always backing webber.
Webber at mclaren would have been awesome. Lol
Jake,

 

[GeorgeSSS]

So, what did you think, George? Not a stellar race for the McLaren squad, although they did both gain a little ground on Alfonso. Not as much as Vettel, tho... his pace and composure at the front looks ominous. Do love how he was still putting in fastest laps right up until the end, though - good show.

Have to congratulate Massa for turning his season around. Funny how even the pit strategy works out for him when he isn't being treated like a bridesb*tch.

Kamui!! Great for him at his home race. Enjoyed watching the closing laps with Button trying to charge him down.

Checo!!! Ballsy move on Hamilton, at least the first time around! He sure had the red mist when he saw Lewis up ahead, huh? Good on 'im, racy chap. Methinks Lewis may have brake-checked him just a little the second time, but that is experience for you....

6th: As usual, you've brought focus on the most important things. Agree with your comments.

Maybe I'm biased, but I think MacDaddy is building great racing cars. I believe Lewis will improve Merc's fortunes, but I think he'll be chasing Sergio and JB. Problem is, we're all chasing Adrian Newey. Some people say Vettel is GOAT. That's wrong. GOAT was Jim Clark (who I remember in real time). Jimmy won in F1, F2, Indycars, stock cars and British saloons. The best right now is Alonzo. Weber is proof that Vettel is good, but not great. Newey is great. I think Newey's greatness is a product of his humility. At Suzuka, I saw him standing with the Red Bull mechanics in the crowd in front of the winner's podium laughing and talking like he was just another wrench turner. Any man who knows what he knows, and has done what he has done, and behaves like that -- -- we can all learn something from him.

I didn't pick up on Lewis' brake checking Sergio, but now that you point it out, I think you are correct. Good eye there.

Must admit, I'm bored with Vettel because he doesn't do any racing. He's good at driving in clean air -- -- that's all. When there is real dicing going on, Alonzo is the best out there. The Ferrari is rather a piece of junk that Alonzo takes by the neck in his teeth and drags to greatness. Witness what Alonzo did with essentially a red trash can at the European Grand Prix in Barcelona. Then he stopped in front of the crowd, showed them the Spanish flag, and shared it all with them. THAT is a macho man. Vettel has never done anything CLOSE to any of that, and he never will.

Long rambling post. Guess I'm a little frustrated because I think the rest of the season will be another Vettel time trial: Qualify first in clean air. Turn in a hot 2 laps in clean air to open a gap and then drive by yourself in clean air until you see a checkered flag. That's not racing. That's high priced SCCA Autocross. Maybe I should start watching NASCAR and eat some grits.

Maybe I should stop whining.