United States GP - Race Thread

[wisepie]

And proud of it

Good girl, Suzie, I must be a Massa fan boy as I'm in total agreement, brilliant race from Felipe and we always knew that given a car he can drive the wheels off, he can show why we don't want to let him go. Get a life, Hermann.

[FA fan]

Well I want to share something personal with everyone..on Saturday was the first time I missed watching qualifying in years,and that was cuz I went through surgery! And honestly I was not thinking about qualifying,just wanted to be able to watch the race on Sunday which I did:) and actually I did make a wish,all I wanted was first whatever happens let's take the title till the wire!! And I honestly wished that vettel shouldn't win,which also happened,and last I wished for Alonso to be on the podium!! All I want to say,like I always do,it's not over till the fat lady sings,and yes this is a team,you win together and lose together!! Also brilliant drive from massa just amazing!! All in all not bad at all:)

[wisepie]

Phew, just slept on the result and feel much calmer this morning. Great effort from Felipe especially, and Fernando is still in with a shout of WDC, think it's all in the air for Brazil as anything could happen so my gut feeling is that luck will provide the answer next weekend. Lewis basically did us a big favour, so thanks for that, the tyre situation is a pain but if the weather plays a part in Brazil, it could still be our WDC. Couldn't have asked for more in Austin, though, great effort by all, whatever the detractors will say about team strategy.

[Hornet]

Good girl, Suzie, I must be a Massa fan boy as I'm in total agreement, brilliant race from Felipe and we always knew that given a car he can drive the wheels off, he can show why we don't want to let him go. Get a life, Hermann.

Before we start attacking each other, IMO the comment wasn't about saying Massa had a great race
Massa had a great race, everyone knows and, I think, accepted that.

Its just that Ferrari's strategy yesterday seem to have rub quite a few fans the wrong way that, well, you could see the unfortunate comments here against the team. It would be unfortunate if Massa fans stop supporting Ferrari now (or feel the need to show their displeasure), Massa has been an important part of Ferrari in the past years and all of his best achievements are with Ferrari.

[Dino]

A bit of hope after Ferrari's tyre temperature problems at Austin USA.

The 7 day weather forecast summary for Interlagos Circuit:


The forecast for Interlagos Circuit in the coming week is predicting the average daytime maximum temperature will be around 28°C, with a high for the week of 35°C expected on Friday afternoon. The mean minimum temperature will be 16°C, dipping to its lowest on Monday morning at 14°C. The coming week will have mixed overhead conditions with some days dry and some seeing a significant amount of rain. The indicators are that Saturday will have the most precipitation with an accumulation of around 44.0mm. On the whole winds are likely to be moderate.

[bonzo]

A bit of hope after Ferrari's tyre temperature problems at Austin USA.

The 7 day weather forecast summary for Interlagos Circuit:


The forecast for Interlagos Circuit in the coming week is predicting the average daytime maximum temperature will be
around 28°C, with a high for the week of 35°C expected on Friday afternoon. The mean minimum temperature will
be 16°C, dipping to its lowest on Monday morning at 14°C. The coming week will have mixed overhead conditions with
some days dry and some seeing a significant amount of rain. The indicators are that Saturday will have the most
precipitation with an accumulation of around 44.0mm. On the whole winds are likely to be moderate.

Any forecast for RB alternators?

[Tifoso84]

Going back to that decision by Ferrari to change Felipe's gearbox, I would just like to point out that back in the 50's drivers were even allowed to take over their teammates car if their own car broke down. For example Juan-Manuel Fangio won the 1956 WDC title by taking over Peter Collins' car after his own car had suffered a mechanical failure. So I'd say that's pretty much the same thing as what Ferrari chose to do yesterday. The team must always come first and not any individual.
I'm sure that if Mr. Enzo Ferrari would be alive today then he would've certainly approved this decision as well.

[F2002]

I'm sure that if Mr. Enzo Ferrari would be alive today....

There'd be much bigger things to worry about with him around in the current circumstance I'm sure.

[Hornet]

Going back to that decision by Ferrari to change Felipe's gearbox, I would just like to point out that back in the 50's drivers were even allowed to take over their teammates car if their own car broke down. For example Juan-Manuel Fangio won the 1956 WDC title by taking over Peter Collins' car after his own car had suffered a mechanical failure. So I'd say that's pretty much the same thing as what Ferrari chose to do yesterday. The team must always come first and not any individual.
I'm sure that if Mr. Enzo Ferrari would be alive today then he would've certainly approved this decision as well.

Well said.

[Tifoso84]

There'd be much bigger things to worry about with him around in the current circumstance I'm sure.

Is that supposed to be an insult towards the Great Man himself or what?

[Rob]

Domenicali: "Everything is still possible"

Stefano Domenicali: “Given how things looked yesterday afternoon after qualifying, this result can be seen as positive. Sure, Fernando has lost a few points to the championship leader, but the important thing was to limit the damage so as to arrive at the last race with everything to play for and that is now the case. First and foremost, I want to congratulate Felipe, not just for his great drive in the race, but above for all for the way he went along with our decision to knowingly take a penalty so as to maximize our potential at the start, especially for his team-mate. It was definitely a tough decision, but he took it with the same spirit he has always demonstrated, in that the interests of the team come before those of the individual. Not only did events show it was the right decision, but furthermore we had further confirmation, if it was ever needed, that Felipe is a team player, sincere and honest, who fully shares our values and for that, I want to thank him publicly. Fernando did the most with what he had today, in other words a car that was not capable of fighting for the win. Once again, he produced a stunning opening lap which lined him up for a podium finish. Now we go to Brazil, knowing that everything is still possible. We get there in a completely opposite situation to the one we were in on arrival in Abu Dhabi two years ago…! When you end up fighting for the title at the last race, you have already achieved something important: it has happened to Ferrari many times before – with only three exceptions – since 1997 and no other team can boast of a similar regularity at the top of Formula 1. Today, we congratulate Red Bull on winning the Constructors’ title. Now we will try and stop them doing the double in a week’s time in Interlagos!

Fry: "Objective achieved"11.18.2012

Pat Fry: “We achieved our objective, which means keeping the Drivers’ championship alive to the end. This morning we decided to take a penalty that goes with changing a gearbox, which resulted in Felipe dropping five places on the grid, but meant both drivers started from the clean side of the track, an important factor, given Fernando is fighting for the Drivers’ title. We expected this to produce an advantage for the Spaniard and a more or less similar outcome for the Brazilian and as things turned out, if you look at the order after the first corner, we were right. Once again, Fernando covered the first few hundred metres of the race in extraordinary fashion and from then on, he produced a great performance, profiting from Webber’s retirement to make it to the podium for the umpteenth time in this amazing season. He did not have a car capable of fighting for the win, so to be third is the most we could aspire to in these conditions. Once again, Felipe showed great team spirit when it came to the decision that penalised him. He then drove a great race, climbing up from eleventh to fourth, pulling off some nice passing moves on the way. The main problem this weekend was definitely managing the tyre temperatures: once again today we suffered in the early laps after the pit stop much more than our competitors. We must study the data carefully to understand exactly what are the reasons for this, also because in Brazil, in less than a week, we will once again be running these compounds. It’s true the Interlagos circuit is very different and that so too will be the ambient temperatures, but we must arrive in Sao Paolo as well prepared as possible. The Drivers’ title and second place in the Constructors’ classification will be fought out to the very last corner that’s for sure.”

Alonso: "An unexpected podium"11.18.2012

Fernando Alonso: “It was an unexpected podium which came at the end of a particularly difficult weekend. We did not have the pace to match Red Bull and McLaren, so to only lose three points to Vettel is in fact a nice present. It could have been much worse, but now we will arrive in Sao Paolo in Brazil in with a chance right to the last. Maybe on paper that chance is not so big, maybe 25%, but deep down, I feel it’s much more than that. Anything can happen at Interlagos and we saw again how important reliability can be, didn’t we? Then, there’s the chance of rain and a race in the wet can be very risky and we definitely have nothing to lose. Clearly, if it’s dry and we have a normal race, one can expect Red Bull to be in front of everyone and us on the third or fourth row, so the more unknown factors there are, the better it is for us. The decision regarding Felipe’s gearbox? It was a team decision of which I am proud, especially as it proved to be the right one: I don’t think everyone in this environment can say the same thing… The start was very good as was the first corner: in this second part of the season, we have made up a lot of places actually in the first few hundred metres. Then I had a good enough pace to get on the podium but not to fight with the two in front. The pit stop wasn’t perfect, maybe for the first time this season: which means we’ll be looking for perfection in the pit stops next Sunday, and in fact for the whole race! Felipe was fantastic all weekend, quicker than me in all three qualifying sessions: we need him to be on this good form in Interlagos too, because we will be up against very strong opposition. We need to be a united team if we want to win!”

Massa: "Almost like a win"11.18.2012

Felipe Massa: “For me, this result is a bit like a win, definitely the best race of my season: now I can say I’m happy to have started eleventh! This morning, when I was told I was dropping five places, I can’t say I was jumping for joy, but I accepted it to help the team and my team-mate: I don’t think many drivers would have done the same, but I am an honest person and will always do my utmost for my team. At the start, I made up three places, but then I ran wide and lost a few. After that, I had a strong pace and also pulled off some passing moves at various points on the track: once I even got two cars at the same time. We did the best we could have done today: I don’t think I could have fought Vettel or Hamilton. I really enjoyed driving on this track: it is great fun and the atmosphere is very nice. It’s probably not going to be my favourite circuit of all, but it is one of the ones I like. Now we go to Interlagos, my home race. It would be nice to end the season on the podium, or even with a win. What’s certain is that I will do everything I can to help the team reach its targets: today, maybe I could have finished ahead of Fernando, but I’m well aware of the championship situation and I do what is right for Ferrari, as I’ve done throughout my career.”

[Aberracus]

We need Felipe fighting and winning next year from the first race..

[Nova]

There'd be much bigger things to worry about with him around in the current circumstance I'm sure.

Would u care to elaborate?

[Kyss4k]

We need Felipe fighting and winning next year from the first race..

Yeah, Let's have both our drivers title contenders next year, that would be a dream

[mark p]

F2012 was good at heating tyres earlier in the year only thing thats changed last few races is Ferrari have been doing aero comparisons rather than usual set up work. This appears to have made a net loss? If you have only time for one focus on setup. McLarens not changed last few races but has come from behin Ferrari a few races back to infront yesterday with no major changes and virtually no minor ones. Have Ferrari been negecting setup and relying on base setup from when tyre choice was more aggressive?

[scuderiafan]

F2012 was good at heating tyres earlier in the year only thing thats changed last few races is Ferrari have been doing aero comparisons rather than usual set up work. This appears to have made a net loss? If you have only time for one focus on setup. McLarens not changed last few races but has come from behin Ferrari a few races back to infront yesterday with no major changes and virtually no minor ones. Have Ferrari been negecting setup and relying on base setup from when tyre choice was more aggressive?

Looks like it, doesn't it? Hopefully Sao Paolo will sort it out for them, and they can have a full complementary package.

[Dino]

F2012 was good at heating tyres earlier in the year only thing thats changed last few races is Ferrari have been doing aero comparisons rather than usual set up work. This appears to have made a net loss? If you have only time for one focus on setup. McLarens not changed last few races but has come from behin Ferrari a few races back to infront yesterday with no major changes and virtually no minor ones. Have Ferrari been negecting setup and relying on base setup from when tyre choice was more aggressive?

My guess is that now Ferrari are too keen to direct all the air flow to the rear wing and diffuser.
A lot of heat that previously was reaching the rear tyre has been redirected to the outer ends of the diffuser.
So now heating of the tyre can only be achieved by the tyre scrubbing agaist the track,and with low temperetures and long straights that takes a long time.

[Dino]

They could try redirecting some exhaust towards the tyres on one car in free practice and compare,quite easy to do and measure

[Nova]

My friend was at the race, said the whole week from thurs thru Sunday nite was a blast. Saw the new Mac supercar, did simulators, went to concerts
and etc. Said they had national bands, lottsa parties, said it was really happening for the whole week. Hardest thing was getting tix. 65thou at practice and
everything was simply sold out. Have to get tix early if you want to go. Now this guy is not a racing fan, but after the weekend knew who most of the drivers were
and def knew who the 2 are fighting for the wdc. From what he said, they really put on a class act n he's already trying to line up tix for next year.
I may try to go to this one.

[laznlSpeedDemon]

This past weekend was such an amazing weekend, finally not a F1 race virgin, and gotta hand it to the organizers, they kept the city running fairly organized for as many people as they had come to it. Sucks that Hammy won the race but it was amazing to finally see a race in person. Props to Alonso to get on podium and help keep that point difference low. Here's to next year for Ferrari to come back and win the constructors championship!

[vae32]

F2012 was good at heating tyres earlier in the year only thing thats changed last few races is Ferrari have been doing aero comparisons rather than usual set up work. This appears to have made a net loss? If you have only time for one focus on setup. McLarens not changed last few races but has come from behin Ferrari a few races back to infront yesterday with no major changes and virtually no minor ones. Have Ferrari been negecting setup and relying on base setup from when tyre choice was more aggressive?

Very good opinion's, and you are likely to be correct, the f2012 at the beginning of the year with tyres heating early, with that helped us alot with most of the races on the first half of the season even with wet races...because of the tyre heating issues now, i hope i'm wrong, that if it's raining at brazil the car won't be able to perform as good as the first half of the season has. What i'm trying to say is like we have evolve this car the wrong direction. Even in one of the races on the first half of season we used these tyres, we were heating these tyres far quicker than this last weekend. When i say that something is wrong with Alonso's car, they must have made an error on setup... the true speed of the car was on with massa on the weekend and he did a great job with it, don't forget massa came from say 10th to 4th he over took one at the start...let's say if he starts at his normal position, do we think massa would have kept up with the leaders? I think yes

[Senna4Ever]

F2012 was good at heating tyres earlier in the year only thing thats changed last few races is Ferrari have been doing aero comparisons rather than usual set up work.

Generally true for Alonso, less for Massa as he struggled with the tires almost the half of the season ... in extreme in the beginning of the season ...

[meteo]

Hallo to all! I'm glad joining your nice place of exchanging different opinions under one passion, in my case is the car No5 ;)

And of course congratulations to Adrian Newey for his 3th successive championship... won before the driver's trophy is decided ... oh eya and Vettel is great :)

Well whatever will happen in sunday with that bus(didn't know Ferrari are placing them selfs in that segment to) it will be acceptable for me. It's miracle that Alonso made it down to the wire, and if some rain may occur or some alternators or some mess up of various kind of character will be needed, otherwise the team has zero chances to catch the driver's trophy.

The reason? Me thinks is not the lack of engineering stuff or the likes of, is just .... Max is gone, unlimited testing is gone, Fernando hasn't got tyres to operate, only chosen to satisfy his preferences and that of the characteristics of the car, the old facility, the weakness in advanced technologies is there to, a lot of issues are being circulating, and accumulating in one thing - Scuderia Ferrari can't match the eternal enemy and .. a drink company.

And finally Lewis made great present to Fernando, he was pushing Vettel like hell all race, it's good that the Vettel's car had such a pressure for so long and it was obvious that Red Bull wanted that extra 7pts. strongly. That might suggest that the reliability is critical for them. And maybe the forecast for Brazil is going to be lottery and anything can happen. It's not that i want to count to others misfortunes but .. with the bus it's the only hope :)

Stay safe

Sorry for my bad English

[varun]

btw why dont Pirelli help us??? they are Italian too
they should make tyres that would suit us more!!

[Tifoso84]

Hi Frank


Nice to see it go to the wire, even if cheating was required

What cheating? Who cheated? Red Bull? Surely you're not suggesting that we "cheated" by breaking Massa's car's gearbox seal? That was a perfectly legal move and the right one, most people agree with that, even most F1 experts.

You wanna talk about cheating, tell us stories about Red Bull and Macca!

[wacc]

FOM computer went mad?


The whole video:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv7bz9_usa-12-r_auto

[DJTaurus]