European GP 2011 - Valencia

[beelsebob]

3) Ferrari have been incredibly strong in mechanical grip circuits lately.

Wasn't that because they didn't have to use Pirelli's harder tyres in Monaco and Canada?

It could well have been – but any mechanical grip circuit is likely to share this characteristic (and indeed Valencia does).

Will be interesting to see how all the teams deal with the Medium compound.

[marcush.]

I think Alonso will be very much looking to turn the page now and get his derailled campaign back on track.The car looks strong .so why not.
I think Mercedes will show as well as in Canada ,and Mclaren too .It will be a tough weekend for RedBull and I´m not sure if Webber will be strong enough for a podium .

[raymondu999]

A tough weekend for Red Bull? I'm not so sure... It's more red bull than Canada, methinks. Vettel did a pole-to-flag last year leading every lap too.

[PlatinumZealot]

I see nothing wrong at all with the lap graphics that I post. I see no need to change and prefer a smaller graphic which doesn't take up most of the page.

Oh, so it's your forum now is it?

[andrew]

I see nothing wrong at all with the lap graphics that I post. I see no need to change and prefer a smaller graphic which doesn't take up most of the page.

Oh, so it's your forum now is it?

It's all been discussed and settled, no stirring required thank you.

[PNSD]

Ferrari say they've understood the issues with the harder tyres. Let's hope so since Valencia will see use of the medium tyre for the first time this year.

For the race, I don't really see anything more exciting than a standard two-stop maybe one-stop for those who dare try.

Hopefully, both Ferrari and Mclaren can put up a strong fight. When best to beat RedBull after Vettel showed his first weakness? Another loss would certainly unsettle him more so, and if Lewis, Alonso and Button can keep pressure on they might just see themselves get back in this.

Vettel's mistake at Canada was fairly significant imo. Other than Barcelona he has had no real pressure until then. He is still young, and relatively inexperienced still, this is where Alonso and Jenson should really hope to capitalise. Button and Alonso have been in positions being chased down in the title fight whilst Abu Dhabi 2010 was the first time Vettel lead a championship . He's done an amazing job (and I cant stress that enough) so far this year, but let's see how he handles being chased rather than being the chaser . Canada, Valencia and Silverstone imo will go down as pivotal moments in the title fight. Valencia because we know Mclaren should be strong, and likewise Alonso. And Silverstone obviously because of the change with the engine maps for qualifying. If we start to see Mclaren's and Ferrari's in front of Vettel on Saturday this could get exciting pretty quickly.

Let me tell you this, I am more excited for the upcoming rest of the season than I was before Australia. The odds say Vettel will romp off to a 2nd title but this is F1 and that will not happen. Im just off to get the popcorn before the fireworks start .

[rfs]

Let me tell you this, I am more excited for the upcoming rest of the season than I was before Australia. The odds say Vettel will romp off to a 2nd title but this is F1 and that will not happen. Im just off to get the popcorn before the fireworks start .

I don't think Seb will win many more races this year, but I don't think there has ever been a driver who lost the championship lead after winning 5 of the first 6 races. And unless he gets injured, Vettel isn't going to be the first. After all, Alonso, Button, Hamilton and Webber will be taking points off each other all the time, and we can't have that if one of them is to challenge Vettel.

[ringo]

Vettel will win more, Canada was more like a gamble with the pitstops. The race resets everytime a safety car comes out, and if you go to early on a certain tyre if it's not wet or dry enough you gap can disapear.
European GP is not like that, so i don't see anyone but Hamilton or Alonso doing a chase, if it all boils down to raw pace.
Vettel is safe for the championship if he doesn't DNF.

[beelsebob]

Vettel will win more, Canada was more like a gamble with the pitstops. The race resets everytime a safety car comes out, and if you go to early on a certain tyre if it's not wet or dry enough you gap can disapear.
European GP is not like that, so i don't see anyone but Hamilton or Alonso doing a chase, if it all boils down to raw pace.
Vettel is safe for the championship if he doesn't DNF.

I pretty much agree, but I want to see what happens at Silverstone. It may be that the RB7's dominance is ended there, and another car starts running away with it. Of course it may be too that it becomes even more dominant.

[doink]

Vettel will win more, Canada was more like a gamble with the pitstops. The race resets everytime a safety car comes out, and if you go to early on a certain tyre if it's not wet or dry enough you gap can disapear.
European GP is not like that, so i don't see anyone but Hamilton or Alonso doing a chase, if it all boils down to raw pace.
Vettel is safe for the championship if he doesn't DNF.

I pretty much agree, but I want to see what happens at Silverstone. It may be that the RB7's dominance is ended there, and another car starts running away with it. Of course it may be too that it becomes even more dominant.

That would make for one hell of second half to this season!

[godlameroso]

As long as it doesn't rain, Ferrari will be good. It hardly ever rains in Valencia, as the old saying goes, the rain in Spain falls mostly on the plains. Massa I think got discouraged in Canada because he didn't receive the team order to pass, he was clearly faster than Alonso. In fact he was holding Massa up, and letting Vettel gap them both, but that's neither here nor there. Like I said, it'll be a dry race, and with KERS and DRS Ferrari has a very good chance to have a good result, I put Massa on pole.

[djos]

Vettel will win more, Canada was more like a gamble with the pitstops. The race resets everytime a safety car comes out, and if you go to early on a certain tyre if it's not wet or dry enough you gap can disapear.
European GP is not like that, so i don't see anyone but Hamilton or Alonso doing a chase, if it all boils down to raw pace.
Vettel is safe for the championship if he doesn't DNF.

I pretty much agree, but I want to see what happens at Silverstone. It may be that the RB7's dominance is ended there, and another car starts running away with it. Of course it may be too that it becomes even more dominant.

I dont think the RB7's dominance will end at all as qually is all about DRS - I do think that Webber will be able to out qualify Vettel more often as it was reported that he was able to get more out of the RB6 before the off throttle blown diffuser came online(after Monaco).

[PNSD]

Vettel will win more, Canada was more like a gamble with the pitstops. The race resets everytime a safety car comes out, and if you go to early on a certain tyre if it's not wet or dry enough you gap can disapear.
European GP is not like that, so i don't see anyone but Hamilton or Alonso doing a chase, if it all boils down to raw pace.
Vettel is safe for the championship if he doesn't DNF.

For me, please clarify what you mean by, "if you got to early"?

More to the point, what are you suggesting about the win in Canada?

[HampusA]

whoever starts next to Vettel or behind him, must get by him in T1 otherwise the race is in the bag for Vettel.
It´s their only chance to catch him.

[Mr Alcatraz]

Massa I think got discouraged in Canada because he didn't receive the team order to pass, he was clearly faster than Alonso. In fact he was holding Massa up, and letting Vettel gap them both,

There probably isn't any chance that Fred was conserving his tires even though he is rather clever in this arena, with the chance of the field closing up due to a yellow caused by a car behind the three out front an extremely high probability, and the wets were wearing very rapidly.

He and Massa were both fast, nothing between them in quali. I'm pulling for either or, and hopefully they can take points off the top that could go to competitors other than RB!