2008 Japanese GP

[Conceptual]

It looks like it is going to be a VERY interesting race. The teams are SOOOOOOOOOOO close in times!

Man, it would almost be worth it if the FOTA were to agree to run the 2008 cars in 2009 and add the KERS system to it.

We FINALLY see a grid where there is like 1 sec from p1-p20, and then it is all going to be shaken up next year, quite possibly with 1 or 2 teams way outpacing the rest of the field.

Postpone the 2009 regs until 2010, and run the 2008 cars + KERS + slicks in 2009. If everyone started this close next year, the championships would be wide open and incredibly exciting!

[ben_watkins]

Lollipop man is back...

Anyone else notice that mr "lollipop man" tried to release Massa during qualifying, but Massa didn't have it in gear so didn't go when he raised the lollipop. However, when he found 1st gear, he then started to leave when mr "lollipop man" had dropped the lollipop again, but Massa just kept on going, almost into the side of another car, so the bloke just raised the lollipop and shrugged as he left the pit box!!!! [-X

What do the rules state about an unsafe release of a car during quali? Should a penalty be applied, such as a grid demotion?

[cba_]

Lollipop man is back...

Anyone else notice that mr "lollipop man" tried to release Massa during qualifying, but Massa didn't have it in gear so didn't go when he raised the lollipop. However, when he found 1st gear, he then started to leave when mr "lollipop man" had dropped the lollipop again, but Massa just kept on going, almost into the side of another car, so the bloke just raised the lollipop and shrugged as he left the pit box!!!! [-X

What do the rules state about an unsafe release of a car during quali? Should a penalty be applied, such as a grid demotion?

Yeah

[donskar]

It looks like it is going to be a VERY interesting race. The teams are SOOOOOOOOOOO close in times!

Man, it would almost be worth it if the FOTA were to agree to run the 2008 cars in 2009 and add the KERS system to it.

We FINALLY see a grid where there is like 1 sec from p1-p20, and then it is all going to be shaken up next year, quite possibly with 1 or 2 teams way outpacing the rest of the field.

Postpone the 2009 regs until 2010, and run the 2008 cars + KERS + slicks in 2009. If everyone started this close next year, the championships would be wide open and incredibly exciting!

Agree with this slightly diagonal thinking. BUT, given the closeness in qualifying, the race itself might tell us a lot about how difficult it is to pass in today's F1. They are close in qualifying, but will the race be equally competitive. I hope so.

Don't-bet-on-it prediction:
1) Hamilton
2) Kimi
3) Alonso
DNF Massa

[jon-mullen]

Renault is looking like the de facto 3rd place team in the last half of the season.

I'm really intrigued to see where these front runners are coming out of Turn 1. I would have thought because of the layout of the circuit that the qualifying times would be further apart but I guess it shows that the track requires your setup to be good in some places and not others. Are the cars more equally matched? Maybe in the middle of the pack, but Ferrari and McLaren are still the pace-setters.

[djrobinsa]

I have been wondering about the qualifying today,

When Massa finished his second and final fast lap there was still time on the clock which means he could have done another fast lap and maybe gone fastest.

Why would he have not put in a third lap??

Any ideas??

[djrobinsa]

I have been wondering about the qualifying today,

When Massa finished his second and final fast lap there was still time on the clock which means he could have done another fast lap and maybe gone fastest.

Why would he have not put in a third lap??

Any ideas??

[Beemer4]

It could have been to save fuel

[boci]

Massa's tires were shot after his last flying lap.

[modbaraban]

Wow! Lewis nearly takes Kimi out of the race. Then Massa takes Lewis for a spin... This looks like is war, ladies and gents!

[Steven]

Congrats again to Fernando! Renault's season ending pace is simply amazing, especially if you note that Piquet is fourth. Renault is quite simply a great team, and might (I hope) be a title contender next year if they get it all right (even though they have no interim car).

As for Massa, a good drive, but what he did on Webber was stupid. I don't think he'll be penalised, but driving over the lines like that is just looking for problems, I can't state it otherwise.

[CMSMJ1]

Yeah, a great race from Alonso. He is a classy driver still.

Looking forwards to Lewis raiding the book of excuses..Fuji in the dry is a much better racetrack.

Looking forwards to the Chinese race

Well done Renault =D>

[mx_tifoso]

But it got him a crucial point. Who's the push over now?!

Excellent race, Alonso did an amazing job once again to win his second event of the season! In a Renault!

I went through great lengths to watch this race, so I want to thank everyone who participated in the thread about sites to watch it on the net. Thank you so much!

The action between the Ferrari's and Lewis was crazy, good thing everyone came out ok and went on.

Ferrari once again on top of the CC standings!!!

[heosat]

You have to feel for Kubica as he is so close to 2nd place in the drivers championship but unfortunately due to the development stop he is driving a 3 month old car!

[modbaraban]

Congrats again to Fernando! Renault's season ending pace is simply amazing, especially if you note that Piquet is fourth. Renault is quite simply a great team, and might (I hope) be a title contender next year if they get it all right (even though they have no interim car).

Agreed! Although I'm not Alonso's big supporter (neither Renault's), but it's great to see those two perform well! I hope Alonso-Renault will add new colours to the 2009 championship battle.