An exciting start to the season in prospect in Melbourne

85 comments on “An exciting start to the season in prospect in Melbourne”

1. 

   Nigel
   17th March 2012, 18:23

   At least one (and probably both) of the Red Bulls should run a two stop race, with a set of primes for a long middle stint. Might just get them up into the mix for a podium, depending on race pace. Otherwise, with their low top speed, they’ll be nowhere.

   If Hamilton gets a clean start, he ought to win fairly comfortably.
   1. 

      mole (@mole)
      17th March 2012, 18:50

      It’ll have to be Vettel if he goes for the 2 stopper.

      On the other hand, Gary Anderson (?, the new BBC tech guy), suggested that a 4 stopper would be marginally quicker than a 2 – which I’m sure Webber would love if he gets to be super aggressive throughout the race
      1. 

         raymondu999 (@raymondu999)
         17th March 2012, 20:15

         @mole Both the 2 and 4 stoppers would certainly be interesting. I still think the pace advantage of the 4 stopper wouldn’t be enough for the Red Bulls because they’re down so much in the speedtraps.
      2. 

         blackmamba
         17th March 2012, 20:49

         I remember last year Abu Dabi Vettel was on a 2 stopper and was a sitting duck for Lewis in the latter stages who was on a 3 stop strategy!!!
         1. 

            RUTH
            17th March 2012, 21:12

            Vettel dropped out after the first corner in Abu Dhabi..
            1. 

               Benjamin Lowry (@bplowry)
               18th March 2012, 4:47

               Possibly China?
2. 

   raymondu999 (@raymondu999)
   17th March 2012, 18:26

   With rubbish straight line speed – the real hope for the Red Bulls is really a counter strategy
   1. 

      BasCB (@bascb)
      17th March 2012, 22:25

      Yeah, but stopping more often would work pretty bad for them, I guess, as that normally relies on passing quite some cars on track. Not something you would want to be doing with a car that is going slow on the straights.
3. 

   Pato Milan
   17th March 2012, 18:29

   Pitty about Kobayashi, he showed that he can be the fastest of the midfield just behind the Red Bulls and Rosberg. It’s nice to see such a tightly packed midfield!
   No doubt tomorrow will be exciting, Perez; Koba and Kimi starting at the back with Toro Rosso, Ferrari, Williams and Force India infront of them with lower straightline speed promises lots of overtaking. As pointed out it will also be interesting to see how the Red Bulls will be able to defend themselves.
   I can’t wait for tomorrow!!!
   1. 

      US_Peter (@us_peter)
      17th March 2012, 22:22

      Yeah I don’t think we’ve seen the full potential of the Sauber yet. Peter Windsor commented on twitter that he’d like to see what Vettel or Alonso could do in that car, implying that it might be as fast or faster than cars they’re in… which in the case of the Ferrari at least might not be a stretch!
4. 

   verstappen (@verstappen)
   17th March 2012, 18:31

   I wonder how Hamilton and Massa are going to meet up in the race, maybe when Felipe gets lapped?
   1. 

      Andre (@)
      17th March 2012, 20:29

      lol
   2. 

      J
      18th March 2012, 0:14

      Hamilton: “I was controlling the race from pole and eventually came up to lap Felipe, and he just turned in on me.”

      Massa: “Leuis (sic) cannot use his mind.”
      1. 

         Vijilio (@kvijilio)
         18th March 2012, 4:59

         LOL
5. 

   Hacky (@hacky)
   17th March 2012, 18:32

   I hope the Mercs start just like last season… very strong. Schumacher could jump Grosjean and Rosberg maybe Vettel (ehh i dont really think so)… Nice Information Keith, the Topspeed chart is very interesting. I really wish Schumacher gets his first podium since his comeback. Hats off to Grosjean, great lap. I think Button will win befoer Hamilton…. But furthermore.. i hope i hear my alarm at 6:30 am XD
   1. 

      Enigma (@enigma)
      17th March 2012, 18:45

      If you’re in the UK that may be too late!
      1. 

         Hacky (@hacky)
         17th March 2012, 19:10

         one timezone to the right.. Germany ^^
         1. 

            Enigma (@enigma)
            17th March 2012, 21:01

            We’re the best timezone, aren’t we? :)
            1. 

               MRFS
               17th March 2012, 21:05

               You bloody are, I don’t like being slap bang in the middle, all these asian races are to early..

               (I know Australia isn’t in Asia..but time-zone wise..)
            2. 

               Aussie Fan
               18th March 2012, 2:33

               Yeah you guys are the best timezone, it really bites getting to watch it at 2pm in the afternoon here in Australia! ……………oh wait, no it doesn’t! ;-)
            3. 

               Polishboy808
               18th March 2012, 5:33

               Haha, nah, U.S Eastern time is the best, cause you get to wach none but three races at a decent time, all the other ones are at 12-4 am….

               Oh sorry, did I say best? I meant ABSOULETLY WORST….
   2. 

      SimBri (@f1addict)
      17th March 2012, 19:43

      If he gets off the line ok I think Schumi will be able to muscle Grosjean out the way fairly easily – I think Romain will yield in a 50/50 so as not to risk a good result.
6. 

   Mel
   17th March 2012, 18:33

   very difficult to guess…. maclaren & mercedes shows good performance in quali but will it shows the same during the race? but my bet is button – rosberg – vettel and if he maintains a cool head, hamilton will be in the top 3.
   1. 

      coefficient (@coefficient)
      17th March 2012, 18:58

      Wow, 4 drivers in the top 3. That would be awesome!! LOL!
   2. 

      Skett (@skett)
      18th March 2012, 1:11

      Either way I hope you’re right, I’m a fan of Button and I’ve got a sneaky bet on Rosberg getting a podium! (Nothing big, but another £40 wouldn’t be turned down ;) )
7. 

   Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
   17th March 2012, 18:36

   Rosberg really blew it in Qualy. He was mighty out there and had he lined up behind the maccas, he could’ve well been a serious contender for the win, in my view.

   Sad he starts 7th. I bet Grosjean specially it’s going to make it harder for him to reach Button and Hamilton if he manages to get through the Red Bulls and his team mate.
8. 

   JamieFranklinF1 (@jamiefranklinf1)
   17th March 2012, 18:48

   I really can’t wait for tomorrow. It should be a very interesting race, with lots of battles up and down the field.

   I think Button might just have the edge on Hamilton when it comes to strategy, especially if there are changing conditions. I think that the Mercs will be very strong as well. Their ‘super DRS’ as Crofty was referring to it, should really help in moving forward, and Rosberg might just be able to get in front of the Red Bulls, and we might just see one on the podium.

   Although, that wouldn’t do me any favours in the predicition Championship, as I have Vettel and Webber in 3rd and 5th respectively, with Rosberg in 4th.
   1. 

      MylesW (@mpw1985)
      17th March 2012, 19:28

      I’m sick of the myth that Button is better than Hamilton in “changing conditions”. Hamilton is an incredible wet weather driver (it doesn’t take a fool to realize how much more confidence he has in wet weather than other drivers- just look at him pressure Vettel off the road in Hungary, or his blistering pace in Canada until Button crashed into him). The only races (bar Japan last year) that Button has won have been because his teammate wasn’t there to win them for him (because of dubious strategy calls by both he and his team).
      1. 

         sato113 (@sato113)
         17th March 2012, 19:45

         dont forget that HAM aborted his final lap, thus saving a lap’s worth of degradation. BUT did one more lap.
      2. 

         Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
         17th March 2012, 19:49

         @mpw1985 You seem to be saying ‘Hamilton’s as good a Button in the wet, except when it comes to choosing his tyres’.

         I agree Hamilton is extremely good at driving an F1 car in the wet. But he clearly doesn’t always get his tyre choices right (China 2007, Hungary 2011) and I don’t think you can ignore that as being a vital part of an F1 driver’s craft – especially those we call ‘wet weather aces’ like Ayrton Senna.

         Would Hamilton have got that tyre call right at Donington in 1993 as Senna did? I’m not sure – I think he might just have done whatever the team told him to.

         Would I trust Button more than Hamilton to get that kind of call right in those kinds of conditions? Absolutely.

         And as for “Button crashed into him” in Canada, that’s a highly selective reading of events. Attempting to pass a driver between their car and a wall the racing line takes them towards is risky enough to begin with. Doing it in wet conditions when visibility is hampered by spray only amplifies the risk Hamilton chose to take – and paid the price for.
         1. 

            James (@goodyear92)
            17th March 2012, 20:28

            On the crash in canada, bear in mind Button knew he got a bad exit, but chose early on the straight to stop looking in his mirrors. Surely he should have known Hamilton would be behind and about to have a go. It wasn’t a case of he couldn’t see him, he just didn’t look for very long. Racing incident, but 60-40 to Button. Could have been avoided had he paid abit more attention and you can’t blame a driver who’s just had a setback and is trying to make up ground on his, at the time, much slower team mate.
         2. 

            MylesW (@mpw1985)
            17th March 2012, 20:40

            @Keith Collantine
            Perhaps I came across too strongly in my defence of Hamilton, but I just hate to see F1 “talking points” get thrown around like this. It’s like a broken record- some pundit or commentator makes a point (e.g. Button is the smoothest driver, Vettel struggles at overtaking), the F1 masses pick up on it, and it comes to define the driver (and how he’s perceived). That just really annoys me. I liked to see intelligent, ardent fans pick up on the nuances of strategy and racing themselves, and not have their viewpoints simply be recycled.

            I will agree, additionally, that Button has been better at choosing his tires in mixed conditions than Hamilton has, but I feel like it’s a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” type situation for Hamilton. Button has the confidence of knowing he’s made the right call in the past, whereas Hamilton really just can’t catch a break. While a praise Button for ability to make the correct call, I think it’s unfair to blame Hamilton for making the “wrong” call, as it’s really just a 50/50 gamble. I think Hamilton’s problem has been that he just trusts his team too much, and, having done that in the past, is kind of stuck with that decision. He certainly doesn’t want to disobey or go against the team’s weather/tire predictions and then be incorrect (a luxury that Button has, having successfully done it in the past), because then he’d look like a REAL idiot. I think Hamilton has just enough intuition to make the same calls as Button, but he just assumes his team know better than he does with all of their information (wrongly), and this has come to undermine some of his results.

            The point I was trying to make, however, was that I think any true observer can see just how much quicker Hamilton is in “changing conditions” than Button. Hungary 11, Britain 11, Canada 11, and China 10 all come to mind as evidence.

            And finally, I don’t totally agree with your last point. While it’s true that I would say it was a racing incident, more of the blame lays with Button than Hamilton. I think everyone was very quick to draw conclusions when they saw Hamilton coming into contact with another car, but again, it wasn’t quite that simple. Most of the BBC team (especially Jordan), agreed that Button was overly aggressive and could totally see Hamilton (he didn’t move off the racing line for fun), and that, if anything, it was a racing incident with Button mostly at fault.
         3. 

            Bernard (@bernard)
            17th March 2012, 22:49

            Button knew that Hamilton was all over him for the entire lap leading up to the crash, he was clearly struggling, losing positions prior as a result. The only reason he even got back past Hamilton was because of Schumacher. Watch the footage. It was inevitable that Hamilton was going to overtake as he was quicker and more comfortable at that stage on those tyres and in those conditions. A poor exit from the last corner was the only invite Hamilton needed. Button should have yielded – or at the very least left room – however he did neither.

            Suggesting the collision was Hamiltons fault is conveniently disingenuous.

            Also, tyre choice and timing in changeable conditions is down to blind luck, it’s simply delusional to imply drivers somehow have a sixth sense at their disposal in addition to any actual demonstrable talent.

            All drivers/teams make good and bad tyre calls – yes even the legendary JB.
            1. 

               MylesW (@mpw1985)
               17th March 2012, 23:42

               +1
            2. 

               @HoHum (@hohum)
               18th March 2012, 4:43

               You say Button was struggling but maybe he was just being cautious, as Ron Dennis was reputed to say ” to finish first, first you have to be Finnish” or something like that. :<)
      3. 

         Baron
         18th March 2012, 8:00

         So Myles, who managed tyres better this time?
9. 

   Girts (@girts)
   17th March 2012, 18:51

   The most important question is: How will I be able to sleep this night?

   I think Hamilton is gonna win this race (he better do that as I have F1F predictions championship points to gather) and I expect Schumacher to be on the podium, too. I believe Raikkonen and Ferrari are gonna struggle tomorrow as well. It will be particularly interesting to watch Vettel, he hasn’t been starting that far behind the PP for some time.
10. 

    mole (@mole)
    17th March 2012, 18:52

    The difference in straight line between Hamilton and Button is pretty interesting, surely the extra wing will help keep the tyres alive.

    I suspect Hamilton was running less wing for a faster qualy pace,he probably couldve gone faster on the second go, but didnt and aborted his last run to save tyre deg.

    Gonna be a good one!
11. 

    HK (@me4me)
    17th March 2012, 18:56

    At first thought maybe the Merc’s could threaten Mclaren. But then i remembered their tier degradation of pre-testing. I think Redbull is more likely to put pressure on Mclaren.

    What has impressed me the most is Grosjean really. Simply outperformed Raikkonen all weekend. Ferrari i think will again be in trouble. Massa probably crashing out, and Alonso outside the top 10. Can’t wait for tomorrow :)
12. 

    Gridlock (@gridlock)
    17th March 2012, 18:57

    It’s really too early to call as we haven’t seen what tyre degradation is like between the various cars.

    Schadenfreude: feeling good about the first red bull-free first row since Monza 2010… We’re all there, unless RB pays our salary :D
13. 

    Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
    17th March 2012, 19:01

    As Keith pointed out, Red Bull will have hard times defending and without their superior cornering speed they might not have what it takes to run away from DRS range of 1 s. Therefore I think Red Bull are out of the equation for podium, possibly can even get kicked out of the top 10 when the race progresses.

    Whereas the head of the field goes, I think Button will edge Hamilton using strategy rather racing brawn. Lewis will be susceptible to errors, especially when pushed by Schumacher and Button. Grosjean is an absolute mystery for me and I don’t have a slightest idea about how he may fare. Also I don’t expect much from Alonso. Yes, he is one of the few who can drive faster than their car allows, but I think it’s not the case when he will have to fight the car for survival on track. Then again, Kimi might get as high as 6th (if both Red Bulls drop out). That’s basically my idea for the race.
14. 

    S.J.M (@sjm)
    17th March 2012, 19:19

    Grosjean is the wildcard here. Hes youthfull and enthusiastic as GP2 promotees usually are and that makes him unpredictable. He might get the perfect get away and harass the leaders (or lead), or make a Trulli-less-Train giving the leader breathing space. He might also muckup his start and gift some places to those behind. I really believe that the result of the race will to some large extent rest on what he does over the first few laps.
15. 

    Dimitris 1395 (@)
    17th March 2012, 19:22

    I strongly consider Hamilton as the premium contender to win tomorrow. Also, I can foresee a battle between Button and Schumi for 2nd. Behind them, everything can happen… Everything
16. 

    MattB (@mattb)
    17th March 2012, 19:28

    Whilst I’m a Macca fan, I’ve just put a £5 each way bet on Schumacher. Just feel with his top speed, experience & skill he’s got a chance to at least gain a podium.

    Still hoping for a Ham/But 1/2 (in either order)
    1. 

       JamieFranklinF1 (@jamiefranklinf1)
       17th March 2012, 19:34

       @mattb – This seems like a good opportunity to ask what the ‘each way’ part means in a bet?

       I’m gutted that I never put money on McLaren for this season. I had a feeling that they’d be very quick, and would make a great challenge for the Constructor’s this year, but never got around to it. Then they get a 1-2 in qualifying and make me ecstatic and annoyed at the same time!
       1. 

          MattB (@mattb)
          17th March 2012, 19:41

          @jamiefranklinf1 A “£5 each way” bet is essentially two bets, each for £5. The first is for him to win. My odds for this were 16/1 (ie, if I were to win, I get 16 times the amount I put on the bet, plus my original money). The second bet is for him to come in the top 3, but at much lower odds (5/1). If he wins, I win both bets and get 16 x £5, plus 5 x £5, plus the original £10 I put on.

          I’d like to add that I don’t know what @keithcollantine ‘s thoughts are on betting, and certainly don’t want to encourage it here. I always bet on the first race of the season, plus the British GP and no others. Otherwise, it could be even more expensive than my subscription to Sky…
    2. 

       blackmamba
       17th March 2012, 21:51

       Lewis’s top speed in Q3 was faster than the Mercs’ so no worries there.
17. 

    Tenerifeman (@tenerifeman)
    17th March 2012, 19:40

    I’m not so sure about Merc’s race pace, they can put in a great qualifying lap due to the free use of DRS, in the race they will only be able to use it if they hit the right criteria in the right place.
    1. 

       MattB (@mattb)
       17th March 2012, 19:45

       Yes, but with the double DRS and single activation point, I think they’re gonna be strong!
18. 

    Legomanshair
    17th March 2012, 19:48

    Keith you seem to have forgot what for many of us is THE MOST exciting possibility namely that of Schumi getting a podium or maybe perhaps fingers crossed challenging for victory!
    1. 

       Journeyer (@journeyer)
       17th March 2012, 20:53

       I think a win is a bridge too far at this point – in the dry, at least. McLaren is just too good and I think Vettel will be keeping Schumacher very busy on defense. But I do still think Schumacher will finish 3rd.

       But if it rains, the form book goes out of the window.
    2. 

       Lee1
       17th March 2012, 22:00

       I have a feeiling the Mercs will not be in contention for the race as much of their speed comes from their decreased drag during DRS. As the DRS is limited for races they will loose a lot of advantage. However I do not think the red bulls are quick enough to challenge the Mercs so I predict the result will be Ham, Button Grosjean as they will all break free quite early. I do think Rosberg will take the Redbulls though as he has a much higher top speed.
19. 

    Fixy (@)
    17th March 2012, 20:11

    Remarkable performances by Grosjean, Schumacher, Maldonado and, to an extent, Hulkenberg.
    1. 

       The Last Pope (@the-last-pope)
       17th March 2012, 20:43

       Yes and didn’t Maldonado mess up the 2nd to last corner on his fastest lap. I think without that mistake he would have been ahead of Webber!
       This year’s Williams does look a lot better. Now Maldonado needs to show he can race and maintain his grid position maybe even move forward instead of always going backward like last year.
       1. 

          JJ
          18th March 2012, 0:40

          That mistake was in Q2 so it wouldn’t have mattered.
20. 

    Dan_the_McLaren_fan (@dan_the_mclaren_fan)
    17th March 2012, 20:12

    I started watching F1 in 1999, and since then I’ve been supporting McLaren. I’ve enjoyed seeing them win races and two driver’s championships. But never I’ve seen them win a constructor’s championship. I really hope that this year is the one I’ve been expecting for 13 years! McLaren has been the next best team for too long : it’s time my favourite team becomes champion once again, and today I felt McLaren could do it.

    I’m really excited for tomorrow’s race. I believe Button or Hamilton have a very strong chance to win it. There are still many unknown parameters (what are the race paces of Red Bull, Mercedes, Lotus? Are the Enstone cars still capable of great starts? Will there be safety cars? ), but overall, I still think McLaren have the best chances to win tomorrow’s GP. It won’t be easy, because the gap over the other teams is small, but that’s what makes it exciting!
    1. 

       Snafu (@snafu)
       17th March 2012, 21:22

       same here mate!
       I started watching F1 in 99 too and I’ve supported Mclaren since! and i still feel gutted about 2007 when Mclaren didn’t won constructors only for spy gate scandal…
       1. 

          Hairpin (@hairpin)
          17th March 2012, 22:52

          I would say that was a good enough reason wouldn’t you?
21. 

    Ionuț Alexandru Maican (@ionutf1fanatic)
    17th March 2012, 20:22

    Looks like it wil be an exiciting season.I can’t wait untill the race anymore,the teams are so close in terms of performance but I think McLaren just got it right with the nose and they’ll have a step forward.Red Bull struggling and Vettel don’t find the grip that’s a bit strange.But anyway Lotus-Renault have also a good car and Grosjean just made an impressive qualifing lap.Kimi will be back in race I am sure about it.Ferrari dissapointed me with the results I think the staff should think really on doing something very rapidly,otherwise is another season lost for Ferrari.Know somebody the weather forecast for race?
    1. 

       Lee1
       17th March 2012, 22:06

       The lack of grip for the red bulls may well be to do with the new exhausts causing flow issues. There have been reports that the rear end of the red bull is overheating as the exhaust flow is not going fully where they want it too. It was after all a late addition and they also then lost a days testing with it. The Ferarris look dangerous! They look like they are driving constantly in the wet so imagine what will happen if it does get wet! The car seems to want to leave the circuit at ever moment…
22. 

    McFillin (@kcampos12)
    17th March 2012, 21:08

    Lets go Williams!
23. 

    AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
    17th March 2012, 21:13

    Well about the only thing that looks familiar is the speed trap data. Sauber and Mercedes running high which gives you an idea that their philosophy hasn’t changed much.

    Mercedes clearly have gone for a more aggressive aero route. I hope it does pay off for them, I really do.
    1. 

       US_Peter
       18th March 2012, 0:15

       Force India is much slower in the speed trap than recent years though…
24. 

    Snafu (@snafu)
    17th March 2012, 21:15

    looks like we’re all set for a close season!

    I just hate to see people (and mostly Mclaren fans) calling Vettle untalented only because he doesn’t have a fast car for pole anymore. Hamilton had the same situation on 2009 but no one called him untalented,kid with broken toy, etc. VET is definitely of the most precise drivers on grid and he didn’t get two WDC just because of Newey!

    BTW, I’m a Mclaren fan myself.
    1. 

       N
       17th March 2012, 21:30

       I havnt seen anyone say Vettel is bad just because he dosnt have pole, but it is overtly obvious he/his car is suffering without having a car thats on rails, and it is going to be very interesting to see how he deals with having alot of quick cars around him tomorow.
    2. 

       Lee1
       17th March 2012, 22:12

       Hamilton has proved again and again that he has huge amounts of talent, he consistently ends up near the top of the table for the number of overtakes.

       Vettel seems to be very quick when it comes to simply driving the circuit but we will now finally get to see just how good or bad he really is at fighting for positions as there are many cars around him that are either quicker or close to the same speed. It may be telling that the moment the car is not perfect Webber out qualifies him, or perhaps it is just one of those days.
25. 

    Hollis Graham (@)
    17th March 2012, 21:35

    Sure Vettel is talented and I’m sure he is in the top 5 along with HAM, BUT, ALO and WEB imo. (no particular order)
    But you can’t say he got two world championships because he is the best driver. Personally I think against one of the others (On form) in the same car the title would be a lot closer and Newey is defiantly more the reason than Vettel.
    1. 

       Eric Morman (@lethalnz)
       17th March 2012, 22:28

       very true statement,
       you can not compare drivers in different cars,
       one car for all, same track so many laps, and you would find they are not more than .100 of a sec apart, which proves they are all great drivers.
       it is the reason we keep watching the sport, hopping our driver has a great car this season. we all thing our driver is better but in reality he is only as good as the car he drives.
26. 

    Eric Morman (@lethalnz)
    17th March 2012, 21:59

    McLaren were 6/10ths of a second slower than last year and Lotus 1/10th slower, Red Bull were 2 seconds slower while Mercedes were a tenth faster!
27. 

    Andre (@)
    17th March 2012, 22:00

    Did anyone hear anything else about lotus protesting Mercedes?
    1. 

       Lee1
       17th March 2012, 22:15

       It seems they have not yet lodged an official protest, but they along with Red bull are not happy.

       In red bulls case it is a bit of Pot Kettle Black….
       1. 

          Andre (@)
          17th March 2012, 23:09

          I hate mid season protests. Once a car is deemed legal nothing should change that. But like everything else in life it needs drama. Drama keeps us talking about it. The more we hate something the more we can love something else.
28. 

    Carl Craven
    17th March 2012, 23:08

    How many incidents was Hamilton involved in his short time in that race? It was more than one?

    How many times last year did Lewis crash trying to over take someone? Quite a lot . How many laps was Lewis stuck behind MS at Monza? About 20 if I recall, how many was Jenson? None I think. Of course MS was being a bit naughty.

    Lewis is pretty immense in the wet. I think Button is better when the track is just greasy. I’ve seen Button excel on that kind of track on slicks when everyone else is on inters.

    And let’s not forget Nurburing 2008. Button over took almost the entire field in the wet in ONE lap. And Canada 2011, he came back from last to win that race. As for the incident between Lewis and Button, Lewis fans will always see it their way and Button’s fans their way, but ultimately it was an impartial Stewards decision that decided the outcome of that one.

    Lewis made a lot of mistakes last year. Button didn’t. Lewis has always out qualified Lewis on the whole but Button has always performed better in the race.

    Button has a great chance of a win tomorrow, but obviously Lewis is in the best position to control the race.

    Let’s see how the tyres fare. Lewis has a habit of being harder on them.
    1. 

       Andre (@)
       17th March 2012, 23:11

       Im not a Hamilton fan. But when you drive that fast people better get out of your way. The only issue he had was to think any of it was his fault. 10 years ago it would all have been racing incidents.
    2. 

       cduk_mugello (@cduk_mugello)
       17th March 2012, 23:22

       Mate there wasn’t a race at the Nurburgring in 2008.. which race is it you’re thinking of?
       1. 

          Carl Craven
          17th March 2012, 23:35

          Germany, probably hockenheim. The Honda was as effective as a toiltet brush and the awful rain over the first part of the race enabled Button to dance by everyone.

          He did however hit a big ‘puddle’ and aquaplaned off. If I recall, even Lewis lost it that race and received a push back into the race.
          1. 

             bad_whippet (@bad_whippet)
             18th March 2012, 1:23

             Surely Hamilton’s finest wet-weather drive of 2008 was Silverstone?! He beat 2nd place to the flag by just over a minute.

             And there’s no way you can mention 2008, Lewis Hamilton and wet-weather and not think of Spa…!
    3. 

       tharris19
       18th March 2012, 2:49

       Sounds like a bit of wishful thinking. Button is going to have to beat him straight up this year. Tires, smoothness, strategy, luck, stewards won’t protect him from a Lewis in a proper frame of mine and a good car.
       If he – Lewis – can get good support from his team and keep Whitmarsh’s mouth shut he will be alright this race and for the rest of the season.
29. 

    Chris (@tophercheese21)
    17th March 2012, 23:12

    I’d love to see Hamilton get the win! (and the championship) with button in second, I also hope that Kimi can get at least in the top 7 despite the qualifying error.
30. 

    Kingshark (@kingshark)
    18th March 2012, 0:15

    Personally, I think that Mercedes are number one at the moment, had they had the tires in Q3, you could almost be sure they would have challenged for pole, Mclaren are very close in 2nd. Lotus is surprisingly strong and had the 3rd best car today. Red Bull are actually quite weak, I was expecting much more from them. Ferrari are just horrendous.
31. 

    J
    18th March 2012, 0:19

    Hamilton: “I was controlling the race from pole and eventually came up to lap Felipe, and he just turned in on me.”

    Massa: “Leuis (sic) cannot use his mind.”
    1. 

       Aussie Fan
       18th March 2012, 2:43

       Its Lewis not ‘Leuis’, you speeled it wrong when you wrote this exact quote on James allen’s f1 site too ;-)
       1. 

          J
          18th March 2012, 3:07

          @ Aussie Fan
          Please show me the same exact quote. I just made it up so would be gutted if someone thought of it before me. It’s definitely “Leuis” mate, listen up at the next Massa interview haha
32. 

    wasiF1 (@wasif1)
    18th March 2012, 1:46

    First 2-3 laps will be something to savour,it will be a great race for sure.Top 3 HAM,BUT & a Mercedes!
33. 

    Carl Craven
    18th March 2012, 7:44

    I predicted Button and Button did it.

    A very very dry race. Button also gets FASTEST lap.

    Anyone want to tell me how lucky he was or how unlucky Lewis was? Actually Lewis had the worst luck with the safety car. But there was no way he was beating Button today.

    Anyone STILL doubting?

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