2012 Japanese GP - Suzuka

[gray41]

Button with 5 place penalty for Japan after gearbox change.

[Nando]

Does it echo in here?

[Nando]

I expect Hamilton to outqualify Button at Suzuka - regardless of whether or not either is on pole. In all honesty I don't think a McLaren pole is a given.

He certainly has the pace to do that but i think SPA and Suzuka are tracks that fit Button´s type of style much more then Hamilton.
I hope one of them is on pole anyway.

Only a couple of days left now

[Mika1]

The last few races that Hamilton will drive for McLaren. The end of an era.

[NathanOlder]

I expect Lewis would have been infront of Jenson at Spa, if it wasnt for the mix up with the rear wing.

[PlatinumZealot]

Button with 5 place penalty for Japan after gearbox change.

Poor timing considering a Mclaren 1-2 is best for both championships. If Vettel and Romain are on form, this could mean starting position of 8th or lower for Button, right in the danger zone.

[raymondu999]

So the Sauber is a quick car in the swoopy corners. Here's a red herring: Perez is leading. A McLaren is second. Perez makes a mistake into the hairpin and nearly goes off the track. Checo then does a flawless race after that. The McLaren however has sneaked past into the lead.

What will the conspiracy theorists say then?

[Websta]

I think there will be quite a lot of pressure on Perez this weekend - he may feel that he has to show he is worth the contract and as the Sauber is supposed to be quick around this track, it will be interesting to see how he handles it, especially qualifying. I also get the feeling that Kobayashi will be strong here which will make it a good test of Perez's mettle.

I li

So the Sauber is a quick car in the swoopy corners. Here's a red herring: Perez is leading. A McLaren is second. Perez makes a mistake into the hairpin and nearly goes off the track. Checo then does a flawless race after that. The McLaren however has sneaked past into the lead.

What will the conspiracy theorists say then?

=D>

[raymondu999]

Would be interesting if he ends up binning it early on that means he can't finish the race. I'm sure there would be a few insecure thoughts at McLaren then.

[beelsebob]

On the contrary, I expect this'll be the most relaxed he's been for a long time – no matter what happens this season now he'll be driving a shiny silver and red car next year.

[Gerhard Berger]

On the contrary, I expect this'll be the most relaxed he's been for a long time – no matter what happens this season now he'll be driving a shiny silver and red car next year.

yep - more pressue on Kobayashi. Homecrowd, and he knows his car will be good around here. He needs a strong result to keep his seat.

[Shrieker]

@Ray,

Nice one, but McLaren doesn't even issue team orders within their own team... At least not with Button and Hamilton.

[Nando]

Not to mention Peter would be carrying Perez head on a stick if he did.

[Gerhard Berger]

@Ray,

Nice one, but McLaren doesn't even issue team orders within their own team... At least not with Button and Hamilton.

LH: If I slow down will Jenson pass me?
RE: No

[Nando]

@Ray,

Nice one, but McLaren doesn't even issue team orders within their own team... At least not with Button and Hamilton.

LH: If I slow down will Jenson pass me?
RE: No

And what happened?