2012 predictions

Imagine if that were to happen.
You would see Vettel breaking even more records.
I can only hope that Ferrari bring something to the table.
I'm not expecting much from McLaren. Statistically, they tend to have a less than good car at the start of the season, then improve as the season progresses. Also, Button and Hamilton (by having 2 equal drivers), will be taking points off eachother.

The only driver/team who can compete with Vettel is Alonso/Ferrari.

Fingers crossed.
 
i remember a few times when ferrari didnt even use the new car for the first few season races and im sure mclaren have done the same before.

Yeah, I think I can remember McLaren doing it a few years back. Rule changes mean it won't happen now though.

I'm not so sure RBR will be miles ahead again. If you believe the theory that their car was entirely designed around the blown diffused, then they have a lot of work to do to develop a car without one.

As always, we shall see.

Fully expecting another McLaren screw up though...
 
i remember a few times when ferrari didnt even use the new car for the first few season races and im sure mclaren have done the same before.

They certainly did it twice in the early 2000's. The F2001 was used for the first three races of the '02 season (Schumacher used the new car from Brazil, Rubens from Imola). The F2002 then ran the first four races of the '03 season.
 
In an exclusive interview with this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, Alonso said he had no worries over not winning a title since 2006, or Ferrari being without a crown since Kimi Raikkonen's triumph in 2007.

"I don't think about it too much," explained Alonso. "I know that I could have more championships, but you can't move forward by looking back - you need to look at the future and the present.

"I'm totally confident that this championship will come sooner rather than later, because I'm in the perfect team to do that.

"I have more motivation than ever, so it only needs time. Hopefully not many more years because, as you said, I'm 30 - and I don't know how many years I will be here. But at the moment I'm at the peak of my career, and I'm in the best team. I don't have any doubts that championships will arrive."

As well as having faith that Ferrari will be able to deliver him a car that is capable of fighting for the championship, Alonso believes that he is a much better prepared as a driver to make the most of opportunities that come his way.

"Now I am a much more complete driver," he said. "Maybe in a single lap or in a race situation it hasn't changed too much. But in overtaking manoeuvres, at the start, pitstop approach, or in mental preparation to the race, I think in 2005 and '06 I was much weaker than now."

For the full Fernando Alonso interview, where he reflects on his time in Formula 1, the 2011 season and his feelings on racing for Ferrari, see this week's AUTOSPORT magazine

Love how Alonso has destroyed the myth he is a moaner and not a team player, can't wait for him to win titles at Ferrari :)
 
Love how Alonso has destroyed the myth he is a moaner and not a team player, can't wait for him to win titles at Ferrari :)

I don't know if it's the accent or what, but Alonso has come across very well this last season - patient, workmanlike, teamplaying. Time will tell though if he remains so when the Ferrari isn't up there for another season or two.
 
The myth came about because he was against Lewis at a time when the media wanted to totally in love with Lewis. By equal measure the Spanish press went after Lewis.

I admire his constant focus and dedication when others have won titles and lived off it for years. He's a machine.
 
Are they making the races longer in 2012?

I just read something about them scrapping the 2 hour upper limit and making it four hours instead.

Four hours seems a bit excessive considering we rarely reach the 2 hour mark.
 
There will now be a maximum race time of four hours to ensure that a lengthy suspension of a race does not result in a race that could run up to eight hours if left unregulated.

Seems to be worded a bit better on the F1 homepage, guess no longer races then. Shame really.. :p
 
There is a 2 hour or 200miles limit on normal race distances which is how they determine the number of laps. The 2 hour limit used to be a hard limit that the race had to end 2 hours after the lights went out, regardless of what happened. After Malaysia 2009 where the race didn't make half distance because of was stopped and then 2 hours ran out, they dropped the 2 hour hard limit to stop this happening again. However, Canada this year showed that if there is a lengthy delay then races could now go on for well over 4 hours. So they have put in a 4 hour hard limit so the race must end 4 hours after the lights went out. However, the race distance will still be defined by the 200 miles rule so they will all still be the same number of laps.
 
There is a 2 hour or 200miles limit on normal race distances which is how they determine the number of laps. The 2 hour limit used to be a hard limit that the race had to end 2 hours after the lights went out, regardless of what happened. After Malaysia 2009 where the race didn't make half distance because of was stopped and then 2 hours ran out, they dropped the 2 hour hard limit to stop this happening again. However, Canada this year showed that if there is a lengthy delay then races could now go on for well over 4 hours. So they have put in a 4 hour hard limit so the race must end 4 hours after the lights went out. However, the race distance will still be defined by the 200 miles rule so they will all still be the same number of laps.
I'm fairly sure that's not right at all.

The two hour limit is still there, and that defines total on-track race times.

The four hour limit used to be eight hours, and defines total time for the race including stoppages.

So if a start is delayed by three hours, you'd only have a maximum of one hour left to do the actual race in.

*goes off to check* EDIT: Now with link: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/07/fourhour-time-limit-rules-2012/
 
Last edited:
Statistically, they tend to have a less than good car at the start of the season, then improve as the season progresses.

In the last six seasons, McLaren have achieved more podiums in the first half of the season than the second half in exactly half (2006, 2007 and 2010). I'd hardly call that "statistically" having a less good car at the start of the season.
 
Podiums simply aren't good enough in this day and age of RBR dominance.
What McLaren, Ferrari or any other team need to do is aim to beat RBR, ie. win.

There is absolutely no point in coming in 2nd in every race of the year if Vettel is coming in first place in every race.

I understand that in years gone by, finishing on the podium in every race would've been good enough to be win the title. My advice to any driver 10 years ago would've been that a podium finish in every race is good enough. But in this day age, when Vettel (and his team) is at the top of his game and perhaps on his way to becoming the best driver in the history of the sport, any driver/team, has to think about a win...and only the win. Unfortunately, 2nd place isn't good enough any-more.

Any team wanting to beat RBR must take any risk necessary and be prepared to break the rules...and ride with an illegal car until they get caught and are forced to make alterations. I just don't believe that McLaren are capable of doing this, due to their typically British approach.

For me, Ferrari, now that they have made their intentions clear and are prepared to make a car verging on illegal (as an example: see their front wing, which they were using towards the end of 2011), are the most likely challengers to RBR.

If you want to talk stats, what would be interesting are the statistics not for podium finishes, but for race wins, in the last few years (in the last 3 seasons). My guess is that the race wins, for McLaren are biased towards the 2nd half of the season, AFTER BrawnGP or RBR have gained an almost unassailable lead.
 
Back
Top Bottom