Korean GP 2011 - Yeong-Am International Circuit

[Shrieker]

yabbadabbadoooo!!! pole in the second fastest car!!

onto the race!!

Mclaren has been fastest for two races in a row...If not longer.

I think McLaren have only caught up with Red Bull. If you get what I mean

Did anyone catch Vettel taking a shortcut at T4 to T6 in Q3 in his first in lap ? His engineer was telling him to haste back to the pits and he took the shortcut. While the rules may not deem such an act illegal, it's not entirely legal is it ?

[kalinka]

Now it would be nice to see a side by side double video of Hamilton's lap vs. Vettel's lap. I guess I have to wait quite a while for that.
I didn't noticed that Vettel shortcut. If the FIA is consistent - does it mean any advantage for Vettel - then they should act something.

[Shrieker]

I don't think he gained any advantage out of it (maybe 5-6 seconds), he still had enough time to get back to the pits and get ready for the final quali run. That said, you do not want drivers doing it especially when there are other cars around. IMHO the same logic as the red light rule in public roads should apply here; you might be %100 sure there aren't others around but you still have to obey the red light. Maybe a clarification about this issue would be fine; reminding drivers not to do it for example.

[thestig84]

Vettel is under investigation for the corner cut

[Shrieker]

Vettel is under investigation for the corner cut

It was an infringement yes, but he should get a reprimand tops. If he gets any kind of penalty it'll be a total farce.

[kalinka]

He came out only a few seconds before Hamilton for the last run, and he had a clear track in front, while Hamilton was told to back up at least 5sec from him. So it was an advantage. Without that 5-6 sec, he maybe could come out only behind Hamilton. I agree that's not a big thing, but anyway it was some kind of an advantage.
What if you cut it short to reach the chequered flag to have another run ?

[beelsebob]

Vettel is under investigation for the corner cut

The BBC commented in practice yesterday that the drivers had been instructed that they may not use the slip road between 4 and 6, even if they run wide in the race and it's the safest way back. I wouldn't be surprised to see him penalised.

[raymondu999]

No further action on Vettel cutting the corner.

Post qualifying interviews:

Jenson:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GBzrauPaXs[/youtube]

Vettel:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rIeExBWZKE[/youtube]

Lewis:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2fiul6olKI[/youtube]

Good copy of the pole lap video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeeSVOMftIc[/youtube]

[simieski]

He came out only a few seconds before Hamilton for the last run, and he had a clear track in front, while Hamilton was told to back up at least 5sec from him. So it was an advantage. Without that 5-6 sec, he maybe could come out only behind Hamilton. I agree that's not a big thing, but anyway it was some kind of an advantage.
What if you cut it short to reach the chequered flag to have another run ?

I thought it was Webber in front of Hamilton on the last run.

[raymondu999]

It probably was - Vettel was 2nd last with only Petrov behind him

Qualifying press conference:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNTeoOeEEc4[/youtube]

[kalinka]

Yeah, it was Webber, my mistake.

[Mr.S]

He is bloody a good driver but not a match for a (collected) Hamilton.

Yep. That's what I've been saying for a while. Button is being made to look awesome by the fact that Lewis hasn't been on form for a while.

Loved the reaction inside and outside the cockpit...Totally my style as if i was in his place i would do just the same.He got the message delivered...No ya-ba-da-doo's and raising fingers. =D>

Did he have to be so grim though? I mean, lighten up a bit, Lewis!

Like i wise I could say Vettel is being made to look awesome because Webber is having a bad season or Webber is not as good as Alonso or Hamilton. Or that RB7 started out 1s quicker than any other car & the car was consistently the quickest in 80% of the circuits. In a Red Bull,Jenson would probably beat Vettel in a race as would Alonso,a RACE is not a 1 lap qualifying shoot-out.

[raymondu999]

S; with all due respect; that is your opinion and you are entitled to your opinion. I personally don't feel the same way; but right now there's no verifiable proof either way; in terms of who would be at who at Red Bull if it were Jenson vs Alonso vs Vettel. I don't agree with your first statement either; and as I posted in the Suzuka race thread; I think a more comparable example would be Vettel vs Webber in midseason 2010

[dren]

Looks like the Mclaren is the car to beat. Will Hamilton run away with it or will he get jumped at the start?

[vall]

Looks like the Mclaren is the car to beat. Will Hamilton run away with it or will he get jumped at the start?

The start is important, I think it will be down to tires and strategy. If the tires go off fast, then after the 1st pits the frontrunners may catch traffic.