F1 title decider

[TGV]

Any race fans here? The title will be decided in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Anyone think/hope that Lewis will capitalise on that slim outside chance that he can win it? It'll take Alonso and Webber to not finish (possible if they collide) and Vettel to have a shocker.

On the other hand, it's Alonso's to lose. Which personally, I hope he does. Can't stand the guy. Not a Ferrari fan either.

Between Vettel and Webber, I'm split. Can't decide if I think Vettel deserves it because he has been the faster of the two averaged over the whole season and has had the worse luck in terms of car reliability, or this possibly being Mark's last chance is the reason he should get it.

As a die hard McLaren man, I'm not expecting Lewis to pull this one out the bag, but I expect a typically charging drive.

 

[Lampshade]

Despite hating Alonso, he looks in the best position, I don't think Webber has the race pace to seal it by himself and Vettel's luck in terms of reliability this year is shocking. Hamilton's a wildcard, I expect him to do well if not win but it won't be enough on its own to seal the title.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I watch the races, though I tend not to bother with the qualifying, so I'm not sure whether you could class me as a fan or not!

The only two drivers I don't like are Schumacher and Alonso.

Having said that, I fully expect Alonso to win the title, but that there will be stenous efforts from the other three possibles. But after the team orders thing earlier this year, if Alonso wins by a margin of 7 points or less I will consider the title to be as tainted as the one Schumacher won after he rammed Damon Hill off the track ( I hold a long memory for this sort of thing! ).

Pity we won't get a wet race ( which always livens things up ) with a desert location, but there is always the possibility of a sandstorm enveloping the track in the closing laps...

 

[rail-britain]

Any race fans here? The title will be decided in Abu Dhabi this weekend

The title was won last weekend by Red Bull
The Drivers Championship is to be decided this weekend

I watch the races, though I tend not to bother with the qualifying

In general the qualifying tends to be more interesting, now that pit stops rarely influence strategy

The issue at this final race is that many of the teams / drivers are on their final engine of the season
If the cars are close in the final few laps (such as due to a Safety Car being deployed) then it could cause concern for some drivers and put them under pressure

 

[TGV]

The title was won last weekend by Red Bull
The Drivers Championship is to be decided this weekend

Oh I know how it works. I was a design engineer for McLaren for 3 years!

 

[mumrar]

I love the F1 and I'm glad that we get another tight championship going to the wire.

I really hope Webber wins it, as Vettel has been faster but he's made some absolutely ludicrous decisions in the early part of the season, such as taking out Webber when they were on a 1-2.

Alonso is in with a good shout because he's been doing an efficient quiet job, and can't be counted out as he holds the strongest position points-wise. If my calculations are correct then Webber needs to win and have Alonso third to be crowned champ. Will we ever see it as close as Lewis' year when Massa got merked at his home circuit by the still slick shod Toyotas? That was a great finale, but hard lines for Felipe, I'd have liked him to be in it this year.

 

[GB]

Would be great to see Webber get it. Personly I think Hamilton and Alonso are too big for their boots.

 

[Lampshade]

Alonso is in with a good shout because he's been doing an efficient quiet job, and can't be counted out as he holds the strongest position points-wise. If my calculations are correct then Webber needs to win and have Alonso third to be crowned champ. Will we ever see it as close as Lewis' year when Massa got merked at his home circuit by the still slick shod Toyotas? That was a great finale, but hard lines for Felipe, I'd have liked him to be in it this year.

I was actually shaking during that last lap, I've never known tension like that at the end of a grand prix.

Qualifying was interesting, Hamilton's right in there, it can go any way tomorrow.

 

[rail-britain]

I was actually shaking during that last lap

That'll be tomorrow

I predict a bang-bang from Alonso in the remaining 10 laps; DNF

 

[Zoe]

I predict a bang-bang from Alonso in the remaining 10 laps; DNF

And then he could then use his car to ram himself and Webber off the track like a certain other driver did back in the 1990s to win the championship.

 

[LE Greys]

As a fully-qualified Tifoso, I'm praying that Webber stays stuck in fifth the whole race, and that Vettel bogs down off the start and slows down Hamilton. Not much chance of Massa coming through to take second, I'm afraid.

Most likely though, the Red Bulls steadily pick up pace as the temperature drops (deserts get very cold at night). Alonso and Hamilton end up stuck together for the whole race, and the championship hinges on whether Webber can get through to second. Vettel has to let him through if that happens. Still

[Murray]
Anything can happen, and it usually does!
[/Murray]

 

[rail-britain]

And then he could then use his car to ram himself and Webber off the track like a certain other driver did back in the 1990s to win the championship

I think there is more chance of Button using his car to slow people down once Hamilton is behind and/or passed him
Who cares if there is a fine or stewards inquiry after the race, or if he is even given a black flag!

 

[Zoe]

Vettel has to let him through if that happens.

I doubt Alonso would have let Hamilton through in 2007 even if he had been ordered to.

 

[LE Greys]

I doubt Alonso would have let Hamilton through in 2007 even if he had been ordered to.

As I understand it, Alonso and Hamilton were getting on like Tom and Jerry at the time, and the gap between them was effectively smaller anyway. Still, I think that Massa made a convenient mistake some way through, allowing Raikkonen to catch up and pass later on (although he couldn't win the title, of course).

 

[TGV]

As I understand it, Alonso and Hamilton were getting on like Tom and Jerry at the time, and the gap between them was effectively smaller anyway. Still, I think that Massa made a convenient mistake some way through, allowing Raikkonen to catch up and pass later on (although he couldn't win the title, of course).

Lewis and Fernando actually got on personally a lot better than the media liked to portray in 2007. On track it was fierce, but behind the scenes, they pretty much kept apart and when they were together it was professional most of the time. With the exception of the Hungary pit lane incident (which was admittedly a bit childish), they were cool with each other and had a lot of mutual respect.

Ron and Fernando didn't get on well though, but that was another story.

I personally can't stand Ferrari. I like Domenicali and Smedley, but the team management have something about them that I just love to bring down.

 

[mumrar]

After the qualifying, the ball looks firmly in Alonso's court, after all, he's the only one who can win as the grid currently stands, the others have to get some work done and rely on outside influence.

The earlier mention of a champion banging out someone to win in the 90s would I presume mean Ayrton Senna. The year prior to that Alain Prost did that to Senna so that he was champion, and Senna said that if he and Prost arrived at the corner together they'd both be out, and he was as good as his words.

 

[Zoe]

The year prior to that Alain Prost did that to Senna so that he was champion, and Senna said that if he and Prost arrived at the corner together they'd both be out, and he was as good as his words.

The 1989 collision was like the 1994 Schumacher/Hill collision not as clear cut as what Senna did in 1990.

 

[Failed Unit]

It certainly looks like it is now Alonso's to lose rather than the others to win. All I can do now is hope that he doesn't finish, Bruno Senna to take him out please.

 

[Zoe]

It's interesting the Red Bull could have told Vettel that "Mark is faster than you" last race but they elected not to. It seems either respect for the rules is more important to them or they want Vettel to win the championship.

 

[mumrar]

The 1989 collision was like the 1994 Schumacher/Hill collision not as clear cut as what Senna did in 1990.

Erm, I saw the 1994 collision and it was VERY clear cut, Schumacher didn't want to yeild the place, had moved one way and then chose to shut down Hill's chances and then win the championship in doing so.

 

[Zoe]

Erm, I saw the 1994 collision and it was VERY clear cut, Schumacher didn't want to yeild the place, had moved one way and then chose to shut down Hill's chances and then win the championship in doing so.

Schumacher was defending his position. I'm not sure you can say he deliberately knocked Damon Hill out of the race, it was Hill that made the move.

 

[Failed Unit]

It's interesting the Red Bull could have told Vettel that "Mark is faster than you" last race but they elected not to. It seems either respect for the rules is more important to them or they want Vettel to win the championship.

Remember Vettel still has a good chance to win this in his own right, should Alonso fail to finish - all bets are off between Webber and Vettel. But as you say back when this happened Massa was also possible to win overall. It must be really hard to drive at Ferrari knowing you will always be 2nd place. I guess to some drivers 2nd place isn't that bad as it never seem to bother Eddie Irvine, Barrachello and Massa. It must be very hard for Massa watching Alonso walk in and shunt him into the 2nd man role.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Schumacher was defending his position. I'm not sure you can say he deliberately knocked Damon Hill out of the race, it was Hill that made the move.

Actually Schumacher has since admitted it himself, so sorry try again. He wants to win the title so what did you expect.

 

[Zoe]

Actually Schumacher has since admitted it himself, so sorry try again. He wants to win the title so what did you expect.

Schumacher admitted deliberately crashing into Villeneuve at Jerez in 1997.

 

[Failed Unit]

Schumacher admitted deliberately crashing into Villeneuve at Jerez in 1997.

Not sure what relavance that has to my post, he has admitted to both accidents then hock:

 

[chris89]

I'd much have Alonso win it overal, even though im not a big fan of him

Best would be to have Hamilton win it but that is next to zero chance since the others would have to finish out the points or not finish at all. Can tell Button shall be used in a Protect Hamilton/ get in the way of Webber most the race.

Chris

 

[Failed Unit]

I'd much have Alonso win it overal, even though im not a big fan of him

Best would be to have Hamilton win it but that is next to zero chance since the others would have to finish out the points or not finish at all. Can tell Button shall be used in a Protect Hamilton/ get in the way of Webber most the race.

Chris

Unless Button can cause a mega crash that takes out Alonso, Webber and Vettel at the same time. Seems like I have fallen asleep at the keyboard again.

 

[Zoe]

Unless Button can cause a mega crash that takes out Alonso, Webber and Vettel at the same time. Seems like I have fallen asleep at the keyboard again.

You never know, if Alonso and Vettel take each other out at the start.....

 

[Failed Unit]

You never know, if Alonso and Vettel take each other out at the start.....

Probably better for Hamilton fans if it is Webber and Alonso who have an "accident" but again I will be very surprise (but happy) if anyone other than Alonso is crowned tomorrow.

 

[Donny Dave]

I'm working this weekend, so I have to rely on the iPlayer to see what's happening.

After watching qualifying, I'm shocked! Where's Webber lost half a second a lap to Vettel, and where has Button's pace come from? hock:

 

[Lampshade]

...and where has Button's pace come from? hock:

New rear wing