[entaifsfets]

The GP2 race had the new style podium flags and interviews, just like at Silverstone, so I expect that will continue for F1.

[tearidrusydet]

I like Hamilton, and am not a fan of Alonso (I was a massive Fisichella fan too). But with increasingly less grudge, I am finding I have to give credit where it's due. He just keeps on surprising me with what he can do. I've always felt Alonso has been underrated actually. And I think he still is even now.

He surprised me in 2001 often beating (admittedly awful) Benettons, Prosts, Arrows, even Jaguar's and BAR's, including the great Michael beater Jacques Villeneuve (to think some people rate Hamilton on a par with only the 1997 champ is surely blasphemous).

In 2003, Alonso beat David Coulthard in the championship and remarkably got within a few points of Ralf Schumacher and even Rubens Barrichello in a Ferrari!!! Trulli managed just one 3rd place in 2003, in Hockenheim marginally ahead of Alonso. Alonso won in Hungary, and was well on course to win Australia, Brazil and Japan too! His drive in Spain that year was awesome.

Ok 2004 wasn't quite so stellar, but I think that was something to do with how amazing Jarno Trulli really could be. Because of this apparent weakness, it gave the impression he would have a hard time with Fisichella (just coming off a very strong 2004 where he floored Massa more than the statistics show) in 2005.

For Fernando's next trick, he demolished my all-time favourite driver (sob), though in 2005 even to this day I believe he did get help from Flav.
I anticipated a stronger comeback Fisichella for 2006, especially since Flav now seemed to be genuinely supporting him in the wake of Alonso's defection to McLaren. And suddenly Fisi had perfect reliability (funny that) except for the first race where I believe it was a genuine mistake. Anyway there was no excuse in 2006, Alonso outclassed his team-mate on pure performance with or without any sly stuff behind closed doors. He also beat Michael in a straight fight, Mano a mano. And yet people still thought Michael was the better driver... Astonishing stuff.

It says much for how great Fernando is that even in a disastrous 2007 season, he still scored 4 wins and came 1pt (2 really cos of countback against Kimi) of the title. He won twice in a nowhere Renault, and on one of those occassions without cheating. Fisi didn't get 1 podium in that car, and wouldn't have in 2008 either I believe. In 2009 scored ALL Renault's points - enough said.

Now he is surprising me again by leading the championship and scoring 2 poles in that car. People keep saying that Massa's in a slump. I tell you what guys, why don't you just man up like I did with Fisichella and just admit Alonso is better?

Massa simply isn't in his class full stop. Never was and never will be. (I highly doubt it anyway)

I forgot to say that Alonso also totally blew away champion Villeneuve when Jacques joined Renault at the end of 2004.

[bWn4h8QD]

Michael needs some credit for getting the better of Rosberg in the wet. It will be interesting to see how the Mercedes drivers get on in the race tomorrow, given that when the positions are reversed as they kinda were in Bahrain, Michael still finishes only 16sec behind in the race. Let's see how close Nico can get to Michael in the race tomorrow.

[Qxkmsxsx]

McLaren have had problems switching on the inters but are ok on the full wets, really a little surprised Lewis didn't do better, but it was a bit of a crap shoot. TBH it was painful watching all of the cars in Q3 bumbling around a soaked track with dry setups.

but the Ferrari's (or should I say Alonso's car) seems to have it hooked up perfectly, and the RBR's seem to be just fine. In fact the only car that takes a significant step backwards in Q3 were the macs.
Oh well, at least I have DRS to look forward to tomorrow and Lewis giving it his all.

I forgot...congrats Alonso, it was another well deserved pole. The guy hasn't puting a foot wrong this year, and earlier on, when the car was not working, he manged to steal points left and right. Shame that the macs can't do that too.

[jerzeygymwolf]

People keep saying that Massa's in a slump. I tell you what guys, why don't you just man up like I did with Fisichella and just admit Alonso is better?

Massa simply isn't in his class full stop. Never was and never will be. (I highly doubt it anyway)

I don't think anyone considers Massa to be in Alonso's class any more. Perhaps it was considered as a possibility before 2010, but not now. However, sometimes Massa has been so far behind Alonso that it couldn't have been described with any word other than "slump". Even if your team-mate is better, it doesn't mean you have to be miles behind, rather than just a little bit.

---

About qualifying. Didn't see it (again), but obviously wet weather suits Ferrari, hence Alonso managed to capitalize on the opportunity and take pole again. If it is a wet race, Alonso is favourite for the win. If it is dry, it will be between Alonso and Vettel. RBR could have a slight edge, depending on temperatures and how can anyone treat their tyres then.

Hülkenberg has been coming really strong as the season carries on. Like seen in 2010, he seems to be the kind of driver, who takes his time to adapt to car/regulations/etc. But once Nico is in the groove, he can be really fast as proven on many occasions in feeder categories. Di Resta has had his hands full since the start of the European season and Mercedes has a lot of thinking to do, which FI driver to choose, if they were to replace Schumacher.

Obviously the results of Sauber and Lotus are disappointing. McLaren. Well, doesn't really surprise any more, where they happen to be.

[Britiobby]

About qualifying. Didn't see it (again), but obviously wet weather suits Ferrari

I usually like your thoughts but this one is firmly incorrect. Download it from some torrent site and you'll see.

[Fvmfrctt]

I usually like your thoughts but this one is firmly incorrect. Download it from some torrent site and you'll see.

wet weather and inclement conditions in general do suit the ferrari
that is common knowledge

[DexOnenlyCymn]

Conditions in Q3 today were so awful there was not such thing as "suitable car". Even in his best lap Alonso lost the line several times. And he also went in the pit in the middle of the session to chabge the tyres.

[JosephNF]

No one is on the forums. All anti-Alonso fans are pretty butt hurt. LOL!

[Keeriewof]

I like Hamilton, and am not a fan of Alonso (I was a massive Fisichella fan too). But with increasingly less grudge, I am finding I have to give credit where it's due. He just keeps on surprising me with what he can do. I've always felt Alonso has been underrated actually. And I think he still is even now.

He surprised me in 2001 often beating (admittedly awful) Benettons, Prosts, Arrows, even Jaguar's and BAR's, including the great Michael beater Jacques Villeneuve (to think some people rate Hamilton on a par with only the 1997 champ is surely blasphemous).

In 2003, Alonso beat David Coulthard in the championship and remarkably got within a few points of Ralf Schumacher and even Rubens Barrichello in a Ferrari!!! Trulli managed just one 3rd place in 2003, in Hockenheim marginally ahead of Alonso. Alonso won in Hungary, and was well on course to win Australia, Brazil and Japan too! His drive in Spain that year was awesome.

Ok 2004 wasn't quite so stellar, but I think that was something to do with how amazing Jarno Trulli really could be. Because of this apparent weakness, it gave the impression he would have a hard time with Fisichella (just coming off a very strong 2004 where he floored Massa more than the statistics show) in 2005.

For Fernando's next trick, he demolished my all-time favourite driver (sob), though in 2005 even to this day I believe he did get help from Flav.
I anticipated a stronger comeback Fisichella for 2006, especially since Flav now seemed to be genuinely supporting him in the wake of Alonso's defection to McLaren. And suddenly Fisi had perfect reliability (funny that) except for the first race where I believe it was a genuine mistake. Anyway there was no excuse in 2006, Alonso outclassed his team-mate on pure performance with or without any sly stuff behind closed doors. He also beat Michael in a straight fight, Mano a mano. And yet people still thought Michael was the better driver... Astonishing stuff.

It says much for how great Fernando is that even in a disastrous 2007 season, he still scored 4 wins and came 1pt (2 really cos of countback against Kimi) of the title. He won twice in a nowhere Renault, and on one of those occassions without cheating. Fisi didn't get 1 podium in that car, and wouldn't have in 2008 either I believe. In 2009 scored ALL Renault's points - enough said.

Now he is surprising me again by leading the championship and scoring 2 poles in that car. People keep saying that Massa's in a slump. I tell you what guys, why don't you just man up like I did with Fisichella and just admit Alonso is better?

Massa simply isn't in his class full stop. Never was and never will be. (I highly doubt it anyway)

I forgot to say that Alonso also totally blew away champion Villeneuve when Jacques joined Renault at the end of 2004.

Why dont you come out of that Alonso 'Fanboy' closet?

No, Im kidding.. I agree with you. His raw speed probably isn't any better than the rest of the big guns but he seems to be much better equiped in other areas, a more complete driver.. and that is why he is leading the WDC.


I'd only beg to differ on one point- Alonso is in a different league to Massa and not to take anything away from him but I do firmly believe Massa just hasn't been the same his accident.



McLaren are sounding optimistic for the win IF it is dry tomorow. I hope it is, they really need a good result here to stop the recent rot and I'd like to see Jenson and Lewis start moving up the table again in the WDC fight.

[virtuah]

What's up with Grosjean, he was a second behind Kimi in Q1 and has seemed to struggle the whole weekend so far. That's kind of surprising since they've been very closely matched the whole year.

[Quigoxito]

It started to rain just before Q2 and he lacks experience /or suitable approach on wet.

[rassedgesse]

What's up with Grosjean, he was a second behind Kimi in Q1 and has seemed to struggle the whole weekend so far. That's kind of surprising since they've been very closely matched the whole year.

As Slowson says above^ ...and iirc he said his Kers stopped working.

[casinobonbiner]

Why dont you come out of that Alonso 'Fanboy' closet?

Lol I hate his guts (well ok not that much). Everyone saw his nature in 2007 but I saw it in 2005-06 with Fisi. And he lied to the world 2 years ago at Hockenheim. But I have to say he's been so impressive this year, I almost have no grudge at all. I really hope if Webber, the McLarens or anyone else can't take the title, it will be Alonso rather than Vettel - I think he is SO much more deserving to become a triple champion first. Let's see Vettel do what Alonso did in Malaysia and Valencia.

No, Im kidding.. I agree with you. His raw speed probably isn't any better than the rest of the big guns but he seems to be much better equiped in other areas, a more complete driver.. and that is why he is leading the WDC.

Yeah I totally agree. He even said at the start of last year that he reckoned Hamilton was faster than him, but he seems to accept that fine cos he believes he surpasses Hamilton in other areas. I think maybe Schumacher at his best was capable of a little more raw pace too.

I'd only beg to differ on one point- Alonso is in a different league to Massa and not to take anything away from him but I do firmly believe Massa just hasn't been the same his accident.

Ok I'll go with that definitely. But he himself says it hasn't affected him - that's the main reason I tend not to take it into account much. But then it was a horrible accident and I know from what Stirling Moss has said how much it can affect you... And I agree with jens that yeah Massa is definitely better than his huge slump performances.

McLaren are sounding optimistic for the win IF it is dry tomorrow. I hope it is, they really need a good result here to stop the recent rot and I'd like to see Jenson and Lewis start moving up the table again in the WDC fight.

I hope McLaren win tomorrow too and get back in the title race. Wow to see myself typing that having so ardently supported Schumacher and Eddie Irvine in the late 90's...!!

[Immonnaornach]

Kimi was blazing in Q1... And very slow in the wet.

Perhaps Lotus have gambled on a very dry setup for the race?
I can see a podium.

[Grainiary]

Kimi was blazing in Q1... And very slow in the wet.

Perhaps Lotus have gambled on a very dry setup for the race?
I can see a podium.

Oh! Nice...

[zzquo0iR]

I hope for a good result for Michael I wouldn't mind victory number 3 for Fernando!

[StampNews]

Perez slapped with 5 place grid drop for blocking Kimi and Fred in quali! Sergio Perez has been handed a five-place grid penalty for blocking during qualifying for the German Grand Prix.
Having originally qualified in 12th place, Perez will now start 17th following the decision to penalise him. The punishment is for blocking both Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen during the Q2 session as rain fell - with Raikkonen particularly vocal over his team radio over the incident - and the stewards explained it had taken the action due to Perez having twice impeded other drivers. Sergio Perez penalised five places for blocking | German Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1


Red Bull engine mapping under investigation by FIA
Red Bull is under investigation by the FIA this morning after technical delegate Jo Bauer reported that he found an engine mapping irregularity.

Rivals confirm that the matter clearly relates to off throttle blowing of the diffuser, which is not permitted this year.

A technical report from Bauer said: “Having examined the engine base torque map of car numbers 01 and 02 it became apparent that the maximum torque output of both engines is significantly less in the mid rpm range than previously seen for these engines at other events.

“In my opinion this is therefore in breach of Article 5.5.3 of the 2012 F1 Technical Regulations as the engines are able to deliver more torque at a given engine speed in the mid rpm range.

“Furthermore this new torque map will artificially alter the aerodynamic characteristics of both cars which is also in contravention on TD 036-11.” Red Bull engine mapping under investigation by FIA | Adam Cooper's F1 Blog
My gut feeling is that Red Bull will get a slap on the wrist, however I believe they should have to take a grid penalty

[UpperMan]

Red Bull engine mapping under investigation by FIA

Red Bull engine mapping under investigation by FIA | Adam Cooper's F1 Blog
My gut feeling is that Red Bull will get a slap on the wrist, however I believe they should have to take a grid penalty

...and here was me thinking that it was the extremely well behaved, non twitchy Ferrari that looked like it had a 'wet' engine map!

[Enfonebew]

Big news, we have to wait and see what happens. I won't be surprised if they race under appeal.