Belgian GP 2009 - Spa Francorchamps

[WhiteBlue]

Vettel opted for a very heavy load or he would have been much higher up the grid. There is a real chance up the Kemel every lap. So I think the leaders will not get far ahead as on other circuits. With five laps more than the leaders Vettel may have a good chance to profit in the first round of stops. He needs to make one or two places before and take another three or four positions in the pits to get decent points for hi challenge.

[ISLAMATRON]

Nick out qualed Bob with more fuel onboard today, has twice as many points this year and had more points total since Bob has been in F1, Nick is good, probably better than Bob... plus he weighs much less

You sound like a NH fan. Last year when "Bob" won in Canada it was all because the team put NH on a different strategy PLUS NH had to let "Bob" through during one stint for "Bob's" strategy to work. If "Bob" had been driving for a rival team, and NH didn't have to let him through, all other things being equal, NH would have won that race fair and square on merit.

I view it as I view Mika Salo's "lost win" in 1999 when he had to give way to Irvine. Salo had it in the bag but the team ordered him to surrender it. I think Mika may now regret obeying but that is only speculation. NH didn't win because he obeyed. So anyone don't go telling me RK is a winner and NH isn't. I know the facts and the history. It was only last year after all. Plus RK is a cry baby.

Not a Nick fan, just stating some facts, I just think it is silly to downrate drivers because they havent been able to sit in race winning car. I see it alot on F1 boards... many said Button was not a winning driver and when he got the BGP01 he proved them wrong, Same for Webber... Nick can win given the right circumstances.

[ds.raikkonen]

Congratulations to Force India and to all the people from India in this forum, from the bottom of my heart. I thought I'll never see the day. Frankly, this has been one of the most interesting years in my racing diary...

Totally awesome. Fisi is on fire.

Yeah! Thanks a lot Ciro. I did nt think either whether Ill see this day....and to top it off, I could nt even watch qualy, not even the repeat!
Lets hope this result transforms into race victory tomorrow....there ll be celebrations here if that happens!

[Carlos]

"Not a Nick fan, just stating some facts, I just think it is silly to downrate drivers because they havent been able to sit in race winning car. I see it alot on F1 boards... many said Button was not a winning driver and when he got the BGP01 he proved them wrong, Same for Webber... Nick can win given the right circumstances." ISLAMATRON

Brings to mind an interview I read last week. Nico Rosberg offered the opinion that there is 3 tens of a second difference in lap times between the ability of the driver on pole position and the last car on the grid; the rest of the gap is due to what car you are driving.

[The FOZ]

Our mods are at a wedding, that's why there's no news as yet .

Let me guess why...


Tomba: "Oy, Ciro, mate, I recon, the day Force India makes pole position, I'll marry ya"

Ciro: "I'll take that bet"

[Ciro Pabón]

Well, almost there. Actually the bet is more like "the day there are no dumb posts, I'll pay you a beer". BTW, I just divorced, so I'm available... and thirsty as hell.

[flynfrog]

Well, almost there. Actually the bet is more like "the day there are no dumb posts, I'll pay you a beer". BTW, I just divorced, so I'm available... and thirsty as hell.

In honor of Ciro and of the Belgium GP I shall drink to thee

[ISLAMATRON]

"Not a Nick fan, just stating some facts, I just think it is silly to downrate drivers because they havent been able to sit in race winning car. I see it alot on F1 boards... many said Button was not a winning driver and when he got the BGP01 he proved them wrong, Same for Webber... Nick can win given the right circumstances." ISLAMATRON

Brings to mind an interview I read last week. Nico Rosberg offered the opinion that there is 3 tens of a second difference in lap times between the ability of the driver on pole position and the last car on the grid; the rest of the gap is due to what car you are driving.

Seems like an interesting interview... care to share the link? or source.

[Carlos]

ISLAMATRON - I'm usually quite particular about accredation; but I must admit I can't remember ...except I do remember I thought it was such a very astute remark for such a new F1 driver; and that's what brought it to mind. I read much too much. It was a headline and maybe 80 words.

Tomba once recommended : http://newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport

I read it about once an hour every waking hour. Why? Occassionally F1Technical scoops every news organization on the planet with a story and I just smile, smile smile. I've seen it happen twice. Not today but twice in the past.

BTW Ciro - I am very sure, if you took a seat in any bar on any continent, before you could drink a beer ... someone interesting would order you another. Be careful what you wish for. It will come true.

[pjobmathew]

Quote : Ciro
Congratulations to Force India and to all the people from India in this forum, from the bottom of my heart. I thought I'll never see the day. Frankly, this has been one of the most interesting years in my racing diary...

Totally awesome. Fisi is on fire.

I know you did this with good intentions but i quite don't see why Force India is seen as India's national racing team . It is just another of Vijay Mallaya's public stunts to proclaim himself as the great indian messiah . Where are Mahatma Gandhi's stuff he bought to " salvage Indian pride ". I seriously don't care who owns his stuff coz that won't take away a bit of who he was or what he did .
I personally take force India as a disgrace( object if you may , that's my personal opinion ).I bet that there are more ferrari in India fans than FI fans. Besides there is nothing to call indian in this team other than Mr.Mallaya .
Anyway congratulations to FI fans .

[sknguy]

This should be a busy race with a fair bit of moving.

Here's my prediction:
In advance I'd like to congratulate Trulli for the fine victory. Raikkonen made the most of an improved Ferrari to capture second. Vettel made a spirited charge from 8th and settled for third. with Hiedlfeld and Barrichello respectively rounding out the top five.

[andartop]

Brings to mind an interview I read last week. Nico Rosberg offered the opinion that there is 3 tens of a second difference in lap times between the ability of the driver on pole position and the last car on the grid; the rest of the gap is due to what car you are driving.

Oh, great! Can someone explain this to Luca??? [-o<

[Roland Ehnström]

This should be a busy race with a fair bit of moving.

Here's my prediction:
In advance I'd like to congratulate Trulli for the fine victory. Raikkonen made the most of an improved Ferrari to capture second. Vettel made a spirited charge from 8th and settled for third. with Hiedlfeld and Barrichello respectively rounding out the top five.

Great minds think alike, I predicted exactly the same top-3 on another forum!

I think Rubens may fall back further than 5th, though. He's lightest on fuel and the Brawn does not look fast at all here. Fisichella should be in a better position for P4, given that he starts ahead AND has a higher fuel load AND sits in a car that has actually looked fast this weekend.

One more thing to consider pre-race: Hamilton could really screw the race up for both Red Bulls. With KERS he may well pass them both in the start, and then he will hold them up with a higher fuel load (and what looks like a slower car this weekend), while they won't be able to pass given that Lewis has KERS and the McLaren is really good in the first and last sectors - only dead slow in the middle sector where it's virtually impossible to pass.

[WhiteBlue]

Yes, this has been another epic qualifying and it underscores how good Spa really is. It is pure joy even to watch it on TV have these cars go throug the second best racetrackon earth (behind the Nordschleife).

Badoer and Ferrari disgraced themselves thoroughly, it will be interesting to see who will have the seat in Monza.

Seeing BMW back in competition mode and Heidfeld beating Kubica again was nice.

Alonso, Button and Hamilton not making it out of Q2 was big drama and set the scene for a thrilling Q3.

Congratulations to Force India from me as well. Fisico was focussing all his runs to make the soft tyres work while Sutil could not make it on those. It payed out big time in Q3 when conditions asked for a perfectly set up car for the soft tyres with a driver capable of guiding the car around with minimum tyre degradation. Fisico rose to the occasion and deserves the praise and the short glory.

The glory of the meaningless pole that we still have this year. How much nicer would it be if we had all contenders on low fuel and go balls out. So now we get people being praised for compromizing a race instead of driving the fastest lap. It makes no sense. But rant off. It was such a wonderfull session. I wish all F1 events could be like that.

[WhiteBlue]

One more thing to consider pre-race: Hamilton could really screw the race up for both Red Bulls. With KERS he may well pass them both in the start, and then he will hold them up with a higher fuel load (and what looks like a slower car this weekend), while they won't be able to pass given that Lewis has KERS and the McLaren is really good in the first and last sectors - only dead slow in the middle sector where it's virtually impossible to pass.

At the start there will be no oportunity to use KERS before they go into La Source. But down from La Source into Eau Rouge will be a fantastic opportunity for KERS. It will take balls to go into Eau side by side. Someone will have to lift.