F1 in 2012

[David Morton]

ok.....the sensible money is on Red Bull and Vettel
McLaren - a team with a tosspot at the helm - they talk the talk though.
Ferrari - receding into the abyss - a bunch of no hopers
The rest - that says it all. The supporting cast.

 

[Jimmy P]

Pete, I'm with you mate. The cars I've seen so far are certainly not the prettiest I've seen. So far its the Mclaren's by a nose! Did I just say that?

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

God, that Ferrari is ugly. Enzo must be spinning in his grave at about 10,000 rpm. Are all the F1 cars that ugly?

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Red Bull's is no prettier, Quote Newey "if the regulations didn't require it, you would not design it that way'.
BBC Sport - Red Bull launch new RB8 car for 2012

 

[Jeff Young]

F1 these days, you never know. We had Ferrari at the top for so long, but since then it's been a year to year thing. First Renault, then McLaren, then Brawn, then Red Bull. Who knows who is next?

I still think Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso have the most speed, with Weber and Button right behind, and Massa fading. Who knows where Raikkonnen will fit in this year.

I've really enjoyed F1 lately; look forward to this year.

 

[Doc Kaler]

Here's a preview of F1 2012 cars:

Formula One | Racecar Engineering

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Vettell fastest day one at Barcelona, Lotus chassis fails.
pitpass - Vettel leads the way as Barcelona test gets underway

You can get live commentary of testing here. AUTOSPORT Live - the authority on live Formula One, F1, motorsport, minute-by-minute text commentary

 

[David Morton]

Any betting men amongst you lot or are you all too busy reading about conservative and liberal tosspots?

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Oh, we just like reading about tosspots, doesn't matter what politics they have, nothing like getting up in the morning and starting the day with the news from the Republic of Tosspotia......beats working, anyway.

 

[David Morton]

No bets then?
Seems, apart from Pete and Keith, not even one of you has the remotest idea.
Is anybody out there?........

 

[Jim Craik]

No bets then?
Seems, apart from Pete and Keith, not even one of you has the remotest idea.
Is anybody out there?........

Well David, from one tosspot to another.....

I follow GP racing very closely, I have followed it for almost 50 years.

If there is one thing I have learned over those years, it is that looks and early testing really does not tell you much, does it?

David, by the way, Merry Christmas!

 

[Terry Oxandale]

The best I can do is hope Button will take it, regardless of his chances.

 

[Jim Craik]

Terry,

I'm with you there, Mr Button has won me over.......

Speed has been re-showing the races from last year, and a few days ago, I watched the Canadian GP again. It was even better than I remembered.

Started in light rain, Jensen came in early for intermediates, too early, he went to the back. The rain incresed and the safety car came out, Jenson ducked in for full wets, but went too fast catching up to the pack.

After the restart, he had a drive through penalty, to the back again.........then he hits his team mate, knocking him out, moving up through the field, he catches Alonso, they crash, just after the pits, knocking Alonso out and giving Button a flat. Button then drives slowly all the way around on a flat rear, too the back again......

Then as we all know, he passes everyone one more time, catching Vettle on the last lap and wins! Quite a day.

I wonder if anyone has ever passed more cars in a GP?

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Michael Schumacher made the most passes in 2011
Schumacher is Passing King of 2011 | Formula 1 Blog

David what type of bet were you thinking of? I would back Vettel to repeat his world championship win. But we will know more after Melbourne.

 

[David Morton]

RBR are keeping a few secrets in reserve until maybe Melbourne or depending on the competition a later race. There are several tweaks they will bring in progressively to maintain their no1 status. Pete, you know how long ago I mentioned Vettel and I'm sure he will get it right again this season so we might as well bet on something else.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

RBR are keeping a few secrets in reserve until maybe Melbourne or depending on the competition a later race. There are several tweaks they will bring in progressively to maintain their no1 status. Pete, you know how long ago I mentioned Vettel and I'm sure he will get it right again this season so we might as well bet on something else.

Since we agree on the likely winner maybe we could bet on who will come second? You can have first dibs.

 

[Ian Anderson]

I'd say
1) Vettel
2) Webber
3) Hamilton (So long as he gets his head together)
4) Alonso (As much as I dislike him)
5) Button (Very quick but does not have the killer overtake instinct)
6) Rosberg
7) Petrov
8) Sutil
9) Massa
10) Shumacher

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

The Bet? I think a lot of fudging was going on in testing and RBR not the only ones to keep some tweaks hidden from view.

 

[tom pritchett]

Let me see, with Red Bull dominating the sport and everyone else fighting for 2nd, 3rd, etc... this reminds me of Ferrari and Schuey a few years back. Yawn. I guess the real interesting part to watch will be who will be the fight for 2nd.

Speaking of Ferrari, on Saturday I instructed a gentleman in his 458 Italia. Great car and an owner with a learining attitude. Great day.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

It kicks off in Melbourne this weekend. The forecast is for rain then hot winds, then freezing rain from the Antarctic, then mild slightly cloudy weather .
And that's just the first hour.

Here is my qualy prediction:

1 Vettel
2 Webber
3 Button
4 Hami
5 Kimi
6 Alonso
7Schuey
8 Di Resta
9 Grosjean
10 Massa