Korean GP - Race Thread

[brembo man]

If Alonso is meant to be a much better driver than Felipe then why on earth should Felipe have to move over for him. If Alonso is really that good then he should be able to pass his team mate shouldn't he?

Personally I think it was good to see both drivers being allowed to race.

If Alonso is much better why should Felipe have to move over? Please tell me your joking.

[Hermann]

I didn't know that but I actually think he's like a little spy for mcmowers. In the practice for this race he was about to cry because Ferrari wouldn't show him there new front wing probably because they know how much he brown noses mcmowers. He eventually found a hand drawn picture of it by Scarbs and then making sure to emphasise that Felipe is not testing the wing but a couple of races ago he was saying how Ferrari use Felipe as a test donkey. He's really starting to sound like a broken record.

I'm sure he is, always being mentioned on BBC like 'lets go to Ted who is over at the McLaren garage for us'. And he is probably not the only one. Too bad we don't have any italian journalists spying at Macca or RB for us- or maybe we have, and i just don't know about it? Tinfoils hats please- spies everywhere!

[Greig]

Not going to wade through the previous 9 pages on here but guessing to what a lot of the talk will be about I just want to say one thing.

If Alonso is meant to be a much better driver than Felipe then why on earth should Felipe have to move over for him. If Alonso is really that good then he should be able to pass his team mate shouldn't he?

Personally I think it was good to see both drivers being allowed to race.

So you don't want to read the thread but will decide to have little rant anyway? nice

You are right though, just like MS would not need Eddie or Rubens to move over for him.....oh wait....

[Stormsearcher]

I think it was a statement.
A statement to the team. He brought the car right up to Button , knew there was not enough time or tyre left to do more and then said this to let the team know: if you only had let me go earlier.
Has nothing to do with Felipe personally, Fernando was just faster and did not get the chance to do anything with that.

well put. agree fully!

[Stormsearcher]

Good race really! Too bad we couldnt do better. I was hoping for webbo to take lewser. RB did the mistake of pitting him at the same time. Shame!
Fernando again was simply awesome! He can really belt the car into action cant he. Great job!
Thought felipe did well too today, though he should have taken rosberg. Somehow felt we were not there to race for anything but to test parts for next year. If that wing is reponsible for Nandos sudden upping of pace in clean air, it cant be all that bad (nxt yr)..

[Rob]

Good race. Sorry to rant, i dont do it often, so sorry Felipe. But, you cost us possible podium. If he could (should) of let Fernando go he could of taken fight right too the front. The pace he put in after getting by Felipe and and front before his stop showed that.

@redsteph, good to see them race yes, but after while once slowing down faster driver step it up or let him go and try get podium and more points.

Rant over. Sorry.

[Rob]

Korean GP - Sunday in Korea much the same as Saturday, but a different flavour10.16.2011

Eighteen points for Scuderia Ferrari in the Korean Grand Prix, thanks to a fifth place finish for Fernando Alonso and a sixth for Felipe Massa. Both Ferrari men made two pit stops, running identical strategies in terms of their use of the Pirelli tyres: Supersoft for the first stint, Soft in the second and third. After the sixteenth round of the Championship, the team and driver positions remain unchanged in their respective classifications: Fernando is still third in the Drivers’ with Felipe sixth, while the Scuderia occupies the lowest rung of the podium in the Constructors’ table.

Stefano Domenicali: “Having congratulated Sebastian Vettel last weekend in Suzuka, now it is right and proper that I do the same to Red Bull for taking the Constructors’ title: they have the best car in the pack and this result is the logical consequence of that. Logic also dictates our result in this race: we have the third best car in terms of its potential and we finished the race in fifth and sixth places. Our race pace is definitely better than our outright performance in qualifying and that means we end up almost always fighting for a place on the podium, but if one does not start from the two front rows it becomes difficult to target the top places. Now we must try and bring our season to a close in the best possible way, because we firmly believe we should still be able to take at least one more race win. It will be extremely difficult, given how our rivals are doing, but we will definitely be trying.”

Fernando Alonso: “It was a very close fought race, as indeed has been the case for much of this segment of the season. As usual this year, Red Bull and McLaren are clearly stronger in qualifying, but then on Sunday we are all much closer. All in all, it was an interesting race, with plenty of action. At the start, I was struggling a bit to match the pace of the leaders, because, after just a few laps, the Supersofts were already producing a lot of understeer. On top of that, being in traffic all the time compromised still further the tyre performance, because there was less aerodynamic downforce. When we switched to the Softs, the situation improved significantly and, with a clear track, I was able to push as hard as I could, but by then it was difficult to reach the small group that was fighting for the podium: hence what I said on the radio, having given my all for twenty laps, but there was no way I could do more with just two laps to go. We must try and improve our Saturday performance, but we will not give up trying to secure a win in the remaining races of this season. Furthermore, we will continue to work towards next year, trying new things and maybe, taking a few risks with our strategy.”

Felipe Massa: “I’m not pleased because small problems prevented me from getting a better result. I got a good start and, on the opening lap, I managed to make up some places, then at the first pit stop, I rejoined the track behind Rosberg and Button. This was mainly because the team had to keep me on my spot because Michael was coming and also because the other two had pitted before me. In the first part of the race, on the Supersofts, I was struggling a bit to match the pace of the guys in front, but then, once on the Softs, we managed to go very quickly. Then, after the second stop, I found myself behind a Toro Rosso and a Force India who were fighting amongst themselves and I lost valuable time which allowed Fernando to get ahead of me. Today, our performance level was better than it had been in qualifying, which has been a constant factor this year. Now we are off to the Indian Grand Prix, a new venue for Formula 1. I don’t know the country and I am very curious to see what it’s like, because I think it has a lot in common with Brazil, given that both are going through a period of strong growth.”

Pat Fry: “This Sunday is a mirror image of Saturday, with an identical result. We certainly can’t be surprised by it: we are well aware that if we qualify on the third row, it becomes difficult to fight for the very top places, unless something happens to those who start ahead of you and everything goes perfectly. Today, these two situations did not arise because we found ourselves in traffic at the first run of pit stops. Everyone was trying to run the tyres right to the limit in the first stint to avoid ending up behind slower cars, but if we had brought our drivers in one lap early, maybe it would have been a different scenario, instead of finding ourselves behind Rosberg in the Mercedes, which is always one of the hardest cars to pass. On top of that, traffic in the pit lane itself cost Felipe two very important seconds. In the second stint, Fernando was very quick and so we left him out on track for a few laps longer, which meant he got ahead of Felipe. With a clear track ahead of him, the Spaniard showed what the car could do, but by then it was pretty much too late to attack the cars ahead. We tried a new front wing here and we made the most of that to gather as much data as possible to use on the 2012 car and the very earliest indications are positive. However, we now need to study all the information very attentively. We have to improve our qualifying performance, we are well aware of that, if we want to be at the level of the best.”

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formu...t-flavour.aspx

[racingbradley]

I hate it though that these kind of things always easily turn into another Felipe bashing topic.
Felipe is a very good driver, one of the best. But Fernando is just that tiny bit better overall. To me that is a fact. But that does not mean to me Felipe is a bad driver. He is not. he has shown many times he is a great driver and he also succeeds in beating Fernando in qualifying.
What happened today is a team mistake to me. Felipe has nothing to do with it. And yes, I am an Alonsofan.

I agree with your post except the last line perhaps. With the WCC & WDC gone now there is nothing to play for so let the drivers race I say. If anyone mentions securing Nando's 2nd place what is the use of that???? 2nd is 1st loser nothing to be gained or indeed remembered about that!!!!! Now if the team could get 2nd that would be different as I believe it would be a financial gain!!!!!
Just my opinion others will beg to differ I know.
Nando wasn't able to pass Felipe on the track---it may have been the tyres he had on at that stage of the race or maybe the new front wing
I know he was quick on the last set of tyres.
Felipe is in an no win situation—if he lets Nando past, as he done last week, then he is castigated as weak and if he races his team mate he is criticised for holding him up whether he did or not!!!!!

[Agron]

I agree with your post except the last line perhaps. With the WCC & WDC gone now there is nothing to play for so let the drivers race I say. If anyone mentions securing Nando's 2nd place what is the use of that???? 2nd is 1st loser nothing to be gained or indeed remembered about that!!!!! Now if the team could get 2nd that would be different as I believe it would be a financial gain!!!!!
Just my opinion others will beg to differ I know.
Nando wasn't able to pass Felipe on the track---it may have been the tyres he had on at that stage of the race or maybe the new front wing
I know he was quick on the last set of tyres.
Felipe is in an no win situation—if he lets Nando past, as he done last week, then he is castigated as weak and if he races his team mate he is criticised for holding him up whether he did or not!!!!!

You can see when Alonso is trying to get past someone because he closes on him, shows his car in parallel to the other even when he can't pass, tries different racing lines, and generally threatens the other driver all over the track. IMO this race he was just cruising behind Massa in a non threateing manner because he is not allowed to overtake another Ferrari, and Massa's pick of strategy meant he got the worse one, that is, losing 3 positions in the pitstops.
When not fighting for anything important, you either let the faster driver pass or you let them really fight, that is, if you want to catch the big points finishes. People are working under the weird assumption that Massa and Alonso were fighting in the first 30 laps, well I've been watching Alonso race since 2004 and I can tell you when he fights for position he doesn't "fight" like that. Same as the first few races last year stuck behind Massa.

[Julie B]

like he threatened Petrov?

Alonso never tried to pass because he was not quicker, simple to understand.

[Paul Jones]

Not the race result I wanted. Still, was surprised to find that Hamilton finished a race without bumping into Massa . It's now onto India-a new track-and we must get that podium!! Forza Ferrari!!!!

[Tifosi]

Good race. Sorry to rant, i dont do it often, so sorry Felipe. But, you cost us possible podium. If he could (should) of let Fernando go he could of taken fight right too the front. The pace he put in after getting by Felipe and and front before his stop showed that.

@redsteph, good to see them race yes, but after while once slowing down faster driver step it up or let him go and try get podium and more points.

Rant over. Sorry.

Felipe did his job Rob. Unless he disobeyed team orders i dont think he's paid to move over for other drivers. Ferrari cost Fernando a possible podium maybe, Felipe did his job. He didnt block or defend unfairly so I dont see what he did wrong tbh.

[Nova]

Felipe did his job Rob. Unless he disobeyed team orders i dont think he's paid to move over for other drivers. Ferrari cost Fernando a possible podium maybe, Felipe did his job. he didnt block and defend unfairly so I dont see what he did tbh.

Yes, if Nando COULD HAVE passed him...he wouldve.

[Rob]

Felipe did his job Rob. Unless he disobeyed team orders i dont think he's paid to move over for other drivers. Ferrari cost Fernando a possible podium maybe, Felipe did his job. He didnt block or defend unfairly so I dont see what he did wrong tbh.

yeah fair point, think earlier i was just frustrated with how our season has gone . Had try to not boil over. But, looking at it now, and watching the re-run, he done his job and done good. What hurt was the pace Fernando had at end of race to pump in those times and close down JB like that.

Sorry Felipe

[Tifosi]

yeah fair point, think earlier i was just frustrated with how our season has gone . Had try to not boil over. But, looking at it now, and wartching the re-run, he done his job and done good. What hurt was the pace Fernando had at end of race to pump in those times and close down JB like that.

Sorry Felipe

Its very frustrating when it keeps happening isn't it? Not enough laps left etc.

[Rob]

Its very frustrating when it keeps happening isn't it? Not enough laps left etc.

that is mate but both done real good today. Lets just enjoy the final couple races and hope, hope for a win

[Nova]

yeah fair point, think earlier i was just frustrated with how our season has gone . Had try to not boil over. But, looking at it now, and wartching the re-run, he done his job and done good. What hurt was the pace Fernando had at end of race to pump in those times and close down JB like that.

Sorry Felipe

Yea, what hapnd early in the race affected what hapnd later in the race...actually...

[racingbradley]

Yea, what hapnd early in the race affected what hapnd later in the race...actually...

Look at thread "Alonso I give up" page 2 Alonso video posted by Sianellen. It might just put you right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nova]

Look at thread "Alonso I give up" page 2 Alonso video posted by Sianellen. It might just put you right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I still dont get what u r referring to...

[racingbradley]

Ok, I still dont get what u r referring to...

My sincere apologies. I just re-read your post. No need for mine then. Obviously I was reacting to someone else. Sorry.

[Nova]

lol, no problems mate...we can debate it forever, n thats cool, great stuff...I bet a Ferrari win would clear up a lot of things especially
with such passionate fans...I still think we can win 1 this year...

[Gerhard Berger]

I agree with your post except the last line perhaps. With the WCC & WDC gone now there is nothing to play for so let the drivers race I say. If anyone mentions securing Nando's 2nd place what is the use of that???? 2nd is 1st loser nothing to be gained or indeed remembered about that!!!!! Now if the team could get 2nd that would be different as I believe it would be a financial gain!!!!!
Just my opinion others will beg to differ I know.
Nando wasn't able to pass Felipe on the track---it may have been the tyres he had on at that stage of the race or maybe the new front wing
I know he was quick on the last set of tyres.
Felipe is in an no win situation—if he lets Nando past, as he done last week, then he is castigated as weak and if he races his team mate he is criticised for holding him up whether he did or not!!!!!

Felipe didn't let Alonso through in Suzuka - Smedley confirmed this.

[redsteph]

Blimey! some people need to chill out!!!

Anyway did anyone else hear the weigh in guy after the race when Felipe got weighed.

full race kit, helmet and everything - 64 kilos!!!!! bless

[Suzie]

I don't who is right or wrong regarding yesterday, but it is galling when people cry out for Felipe to do better - yet when he qualifies higher than Fernando and runs ahead of him in the race, he still gets stick. I don't get it. If it's so important to let Fernando go and do his own thing then what's the point of a second driver being there? Yes Fernando has a shot at being second in the championship, but is anyone going to celebrate if he gets it? Is it worth perhaps demoralising Massa over the head of second place in the WDC?

[Tifosi]

I don't who is right or wrong regarding yesterday, but it is galling when people cry out for Felipe to do better - yet when he qualifies higher than Fernando and runs ahead of him in the race, he still gets stick. I don't get it. If it's so important to let Fernando go and do his own thing then what's the point of a second driver being there? Yes Fernando has a shot at being second in the championship, but is anyone going to celebrate if he gets it? Is it worth perhaps demoralising Massa over the head of second place in the WDC?

I truly believe that its only the Fredifosi that really think that way Suzie and luckily they tend to disappear in a cloud of self-righteous fart smelling angst on the Sunday night and then reappear only when they have found a new axe to grind against their driver's team.

I think everyone else gets it!

[scuderiafan]

The Race Edit:

http://www.formula1.com/video/?uid=2011101616R

Good of Fernando to not tell the world about it, and not repeat it.
he is a great driver, so he should not have Felipe move over for him especially when it is pointless as the WDC is gone.

[brembo man]

[QUOTE=scuderiafan;695142]The Race Edit:

http://www.formula1.com/video/?uid=2011101616R

Good of Fernando to not tell the world about it, and not repeat it.
he is a great driver, so he should not have Felipe move over for him especially when it is pointless as the WDC is gone.[/QUOtE

Wow! I can't believe anyone who knows Ferrari would say it's pointless for Felipe not to move over and "let him pass" He's a#2 driver, a wing man for the 2X champion. The WDC means nothing, he's supposed to move over just for the hell of it. Did everyone here lose their memory? "They" may be gone but not forgotten.

[Suzie]

"They" may be gone but not forgotten.

Who's 'they'?
Oh that's right...
BUM
CHIN

[brembo man]

Who's 'they'?
Oh that's right...
BUM
CHIN

Well at least you remember the good old days. Be honest, is what I said true or not? Your a true Felipe fan for sure. Well that's how I always looked at it when my favorite driver had to move over just for the hell of it at times. By the way those two cars were really quick back then and the #2 guy was never really more than 1/10th slower than the .... but it didn't matter.

[Tifosi]

[QUOTE=Suzie;695166]Who's 'they'?
Oh that's right...
BUM
CHIN[/QUOtE

don't forget to misuse the QUOTE tag for a truly authentic feel!