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11-18-2012, 07:02 PM | #1 |
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Formula 1 2012 - Round 20: The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos
So it has come to this... RBR wrapped up the Constructor's crown in Austin, but the Driver's title is still open, thanks to a pesky Fernando Alonso that just won't give up. Fernando and Sebastian Vettel have shared the last few podiums and have pulled well clear of the field in points, with Sebastian holding a 13-tally advantage heading into the final race at Interlagos. He's no stranger to success at this track, having taken a critical win here in 2010 en route to his first world title. Furthermore, the track is well-suited to the RB8, as Mark Webber captured last year's checkered flag, his only time on the top step of the podium in 2011. The math entering the race is simple: If Sebastian finishes fourth or higher, he wins the title, no matter what Fernando does. In case of a tie in points, the first tie-breaker is total wins, and Sebastian owns that as well. Obviously, this is a must-win for Ferrari, and you can bet they're going to throw everything at this race in that pursuit. They'll need the same luck (and tactics?) they used in 2007 to push Kimi Raikkonen to his only Driver's title--win the race and hope your opponents (then-teammates Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton at McLaren) struggle to no better than 5th. But, this is an RBR track. Their success here in the past two years has not been by accident. The RB8 possesses exceptional downforce, great low-speed traction, and mighty acceleration. Its 1-lap pace is nearly unmatched (except perhaps by the McLaren). Give Seb his likely pole position and watch him race off into the sunset while his antagonists fight for the scraps. Advantage: Red Bull. The Ferrari is no slouch, though. Magnificent race pace and virtually bulletproof reliability are its hallmarks. Give Fernando a gap of less than a second in a DRS zone and watch him hustle the driver ahead. He's gained places each of the last few races en route to podiums after disappointing qualifying performances. Better yet, the Ferrari just doesn't break. Contrast that with Red Bull... Both cars sustained water leaks in Austin during practice, and you only had to see the expression on Adrian Newey's face as he examined the car to know it was a serious matter. Webber's KERS failed in India, then again in Austin, before his car finally ground to a halt with an alternator failure (RBR's third this year, and the fifth for Renault-engined cars).** Can Seb's good graces with the gods of mechanical reliability just hold on? Advantage: Ferrari. Formula 1 finishes the 2012 season in style! **Vettel experienced one alternator failure during the race in Valencia, one in P3 in Monza, and another in the Monza race. Romain Grosjean's failed in Valencia as well, and Lotus replaced another as a precaution after Monza qualifying. Add Webber's and that's 4 for RBR and six total for Renault. |
11-19-2012, 01:55 AM | #2 |
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Great write up! Brazil is going to be more intense then ever! We saw how Vettel won his 1st drivers championship almost in the same matter as he needed to win and Alonso needed p4 or better (but was stuck behind a Petrov for half the race).
Alonso's speed during the race and focus is amazing, but Vettels pace is unmatched! McLaren is of course doing well but have been struggling with reliability so who knows! All i know is that Lewis is definitely gonna try to make his last race with McLaren a WIN. |
11-19-2012, 03:39 AM | #3 |
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weather forecast: rain on sunday
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11-19-2012, 08:54 AM | #4 |
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Now back to a real track. Awesome.
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11-19-2012, 09:42 AM | #5 |
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Great writeup. Should be 95% dependent on reliability, 5% on weather. Last time Vettel finished outside the top 4: Monza's alternator failure.
Chop idea born... |
11-19-2012, 08:16 PM | #6 |
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11-20-2012, 11:40 AM | #7 |
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11-25-2012, 09:01 PM | #8 |
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Wow, I was more right than I thought! Couldn't believe he took two whacks and was able to continue like that. My heart sank when I saw he was facing backwards and in dead last. I didn't doubt he could get back into the points after seeing what he did just 2 races ago in Abu Dhabi, but I thought the car had had it.
My heart's still racing from watching that a few hours ago. Spectacular the whole race throughout the field. Too much to even mention, but that was a real gem of a race! Great finish to a great season. Congrats to Seb but I do feel for Alonso who gave his maximum all year long. I'd have to give him "Driver of the Year/MVP" if such a thing existed. Poor Marussia 6 titles in 3 years, what can you say? With minimal rule changes for 2013 and Lewis out of McLaren, you gotta put your money on 4 straight... |
11-19-2012, 05:05 PM | #9 |
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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104409
Red Bull using a new-spec alternator at this race... Sorry, can't post the text, apparently I've run out of free article views on autosport. |
11-19-2012, 05:21 PM | #10 | |
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11-19-2012, 05:35 PM | #11 |
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Thank!
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11-19-2012, 08:43 PM | #12 |
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I bet Alonso wins the race, and the team starts to celebrate the driver championship because Vettel is back in 8th. But on the last corner, Maldanado takes Grosjean out of the race, and Vettel scores a 6th, giving him the championship.
And Felipe' Massa's dad makes a funny face. |
11-20-2012, 01:25 AM | #13 |
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^^ Haha
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11-22-2012, 10:19 AM | #14 |
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I want Vettel to win. I don't like Alonso.
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11-22-2012, 11:23 AM | #15 |
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I want Alonso to win. I'm tired of Red Bull winning everything. I usually root for the underdog, too.
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11-22-2012, 11:24 AM | #16 |
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11-22-2012, 01:33 PM | #17 |
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I didn't follow F1 back then. What few forays I had into the F1 arena were quickly ended because Schumacher was winning everything. I really started following it in 2005 when Alonso and Renault started having success (read: dynamic dampers (and later inerters) and Michelin), and seeing Button win in Hungary in the Honda really hooked me.
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11-22-2012, 04:59 PM | #18 |
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11-22-2012, 02:29 PM | #19 |
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ah yes those were good days. the sport seems so different now.
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11-23-2012, 06:27 PM | #20 |
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Weather.com says the chance of rain on Sunday is 100%!
http://www.weather.com/weather/weeke...+BRXX0232:1:BR Weather underground says 80%! http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:00000.1.83780 Accuweather says 90%! http://www.accuweather.com/en/br/sao...st/45881?day=3 :rain dance: |
11-23-2012, 06:40 PM | #21 |
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the weather where the circuit is located is very crazy, it can be very hot followed by a quick and intense rain and the sun can be shine in the sequence!
I think F1 will have a great end of the season! |
11-24-2012, 03:00 AM | #22 | ||
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You know, I want to hate Alonzo because I hate the way Ferrari has historically treated the FIA as its *****, but I have really grown to like the guy, smart, humble for a world champion anyway, and there is no doubt that he is in the worst of the top three constructors and has been driving the wheels of his car this year. Also Vettel seems like a pretty nice guy that works hard at his craft to aid in development and adjustments, so I don't begrudge him his success either. Quote:
And five of the best rain dancers in history on the grid, all world champions, Vetel, Button, Hamilton, Kimmi and the old war horse himself Michael. It would be sweet to see shumi take a win between the lakes at his last race. It is highly unlikely, but his #1 gripe since returning has been tire wear, he wants to drive to the limits of the car, not the limits of the tire so if it rains? |
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11-24-2012, 09:28 AM | #23 |
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i like the way you think etothen. i have been a heavy critic of Schu's return, but i would cheer him on in that case.
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11-24-2012, 09:54 AM | #24 |
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from BBC regard the Marussia / Caterham finish:
Marussia occupy 10th place in the constructors' championship - worth millions of pounds - on account of Timo Glock's 12th place in Singapore a couple of months ago. But Caterham, who in their various guises have finished in that position for the last two years, could snatch it back if they match that result here in Brazil. And it just so happens that Caterham's new signing for 2013, Charles Pic, is currently driving for Marussia. It's fair to say that there is a degree of paranoia at Marussia about that - who feel that they may now be fighting three drivers rather than two." |
11-24-2012, 11:29 AM | #25 |
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Grosjean strikes again
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