And we are back. I am hoping for some decent racing this weekend. With d fia attempts to slow down Red Bull, qualifying at least should be a little more interesting.

It should be a CRACKING race!

Lets go there. . .

Its hard for me to get excited about Valencia its going to be like Monaco pt2 less overtake, then we have Hungary and Singapore, cant wait for Silverstone, Monza and Spa

Grid for Valencia.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m36.975
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m37.163 + 0.188
3. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m37.380 + 0.405
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m37.454 + 0.479
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m37.535 + 0.560
6. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m37.645 + 0.670
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m38.231 + 1.256
8. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m38.240 + 1.265
9. Nick Heidfeld Renault No time
10. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes No time
Q2 cut-off time: 1m39.034s Gap **
11. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m39.068s + 1.763
12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m39.422s + 2.117
13. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m39.489s + 2.184
14. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m39.525s + 2.220
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m39.645s + 2.340
16. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m39.657s + 2.352
17. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m39.711s + 2.406
Q1 cut-off time: 1m40.131s Gap *
18. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m40.232 + 1.819
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m41.664 + 3.251
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m42.234 + 3.821
21. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m42.553 + 4.140
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m43.584 + 5.171
23. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m43.735 + 5.322
24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m44.363 + 5.950

Lets hope for a good race. Finger crossed Lewis doesn't crash himself or anyone else out of d race.

Vettel is handling biz but its all down to tire management cos the tracks are just chewing them up. Alonso is still a huge Threat tho

Vettel has won the championships jare, when will my beloved Ferrari get their acts together, they are third on the constructors.

On the podium Vettel Alonso and Webber. Was just a fuss free ice cold drive by the young German

lets all concentrate on 2012 because 2011 is Vettel's second championship.
hopefully everyone will be ready next season to compete against RBR

Formula 1 teams are to face a further clampdown on engine mapping use from this weekend's European Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT has learned, with the FIA moving to eradicate special qualifying-only settings

Ahead of the effective ban on the off-throttle use of blown diffusers from next month's British Grand Prix, motor racing's governing body has shown it is determined to prevent teams from using any form of clever engine use to help aerodynamic performance.

In a note sent from F1 technical delegate Charlie Whiting to the teams, he made it clear that with immediate effect teams will no longer be allowed to change engine maps between qualifying and the race.

Such a move will effectively prevent teams from running an extreme engine map for qualifying - such as one that produces more exhaust blowing or burns more fuel – and then reverting to a safer setting for the grand prix itself.

One theory surrounding Red Bull Racing's qualifying dominance this year, compared to the fact it has not been so fast in the race, is that the team has been using extreme engine maps in qualifying to boost performance for a single lap.

The new directive from the FIA means that any engine mapping setting used in qualifying has to now be used for the start of the race – with the first opportunity to change it now only possible at the first pitstop when a computer could in theory be plugged into the car.

However, such a move would be hugely impractical because of the speed of modern pitstops.

The extreme engine maps that some teams may be using for qualifying would be unusable in the race – because they risk reliability of engines over longer distances and could burn too much fuel.

Although the changes to the regulations coming into force over the next two races will affect all teams, the main focus will be in terms of what impact it has on pace-setters Red Bull Racing.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said at the Canadian Grand Prix that he believed Silverstone could mark the start of a totally new picture in terms of the world title fight.

"We need to see in Silverstone, what is the real effect of this change in the regulations with regard to the effect of the exhaust," he said.

"Then, we will see really where is the second championship in terms of the level of performance above all in higher downforce tracks."


this weekend's qualifying shall be very interesting with red bull not being able to use that in qualifying surely they won't attempt to use it during the race

^^sounds really promising!!!!!

The main that Silverstones is a high speed corner circuit which means another day for RED BULL because of their aero-dynamic and design of the car! but lets see whether the ban on the exhurst blowing hrough the diffuser would affect everyone or not

Grid for tomorrowa British Grand Prix


[b]1.  Mark Webber           Red Bull-Renault     1m30.399s
2.  Sebastian Vettel      Red Bull-Renault     1m30.431s  + 0.032
3.  Fernando Alonso       Ferrari              1m30.516s  + 0.117
4.  Felipe Massa          Ferrari              1m31.124s  + 0.725
5.  Jenson Button         McLaren-Mercedes     1m31.989s  + 1.590
6.  Paul di Resta         Force India-Mercedes 1m31.929s  + 1.530
7.  Pastor Maldonado      Williams-Cosworth    1m31.933s  + 1.534
8.  Kamui Kobayashi       Sauber-Ferrari       1m32.128s  + 1.729
9.  Nico Rosberg          Mercedes             1m32.209s  + 1.810
10.  Lewis Hamilton        McLaren-Mercedes     1m32.376s  + 1.977
Q2 cut-off time: 1m32.588s                                   Gap **
11.  Adrian Sutil          Force India-Mercedes 1m32.617s   + 0.977
12.  Sergio Perez          Sauber-Ferrari       1m32.624s   + 0.984
13.  Michael Schumacher    Mercedes             1m32.656s   + 1.016
14.  Vitaly Petrov         Renault              1m32.734s   + 1.094
15.  Rubens Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth    1m33.119s   + 1.479
16.  Nick Heidfeld         Renault              1m33.805s   + 2.165
17.  Heikki Kovalainen     Lotus-Renault        1m34.821s   + 3.181
Q1 cut-off time: 1m35.132s                              Gap *
18.  Jaime Alguersuari     Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m35.245s   + 2.575
19.  Sebastien Buemi       Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m35.749s   + 3.079
20.  Timo Glock            Virgin-Cosworth      1m36.203s   + 3.533
21.  Jarno Trulli          Lotus-Renault        1m36.456s   + 3.786
22.  Jerome D'Ambrosio     Virgin-Cosworth      1m37.154s   + 4.484
23.  Tonio Liuzzi          HRT-Cosworth         1m37.484s   + 4.814
24.  Daniel Ricciardo      HRT-Cosworth         1m38.059s   + 5.389[/b]

An eventful British GP. Bad luck for Jenson and Lewis drove pretty well after a poor showing most of d weekend. Alonso and Ferrari look to be coming into form after their recent showings. Schumi showed some wonderful overtaking from d back of d grid.

British GP results

1. Alonso Ferrari 1h28:41.194
2. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 16.511
3. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 16.947
4. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 28.986
5. Massa Ferrari + 29.010
6. Rosberg Mercedes + 1:00.665
7. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 1:05.590
8. Heidfeld Renault + 1:15.542
9. Schumacher Mercedes + 1:17.912
10. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:19.108
11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 1:19.712
12. Petrov Renault + 1:20.600
13. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
14. Maldonado Williams-Cosworth + 1 lap
15. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1 lap
16. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
17. D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
18. Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps
19. Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth + 3 laps

Martin Whitmash needs to be shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the success of f1's new rules


Formula 1's delivery of thrilling grands prix in 2011 may owe much to the new rules introduced this year, but detailed mid-season analysis of exactly what has boosted overtaking has revealed that it is not DRS that has been the sole reason for more spectacular racing.

The sport's leading figures took a bold step this year in introducing a raft of changes to spice up the action - with overtaking being a key area where improvements were sought.

Alongside the return of Pirelli, which arrived with an aggressive intention to make races better via their tyre compound choice, F1 also embraced the return of KERS and the introduction of the radical adjustable rear wing.

While the rules have been a step into the unknown, the initial impression is that DRS has been a huge success - with Nico Rosberg telling AUTOSPORT earlier this year it was probably the best idea in F1 history.

However some, like 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, have argued that the changes make F1 artificial and therefore a turn off.

So how successful have they really been? Statistics released by Mercedes-Benz ahead of the midway point of the season have now offered some insight into just what factors have made the biggest impact in improving the show.

In the first nine races of this season, there have been 623 overtaking moves in total - a figure which takes into account passes by the fastest cars on the slowest three teams, but discounts moves on the first lap or those due to damage.

Discounting the moves by the fastest teams on the slowest, DRS has accounted for 29 per cent of passing manoeuvres in 2011. DRS moves have outnumbered 'normal' passes on four occasions: Shanghai, Istanbul, Barcelona and Valencia.

Significantly, DRS's impact has varied from circuit to circuit, and in direct correlation with its positioning on each circuit. At Monaco and Silverstone, where the DRS was on the short pit and Wellington straights respectively, it accounted for just eight passes in total.

At Istanbul, a track notoriously difficult to overtake on, the DRS zone was located on the long back straight on the run down to turn 12 – and it consequently led to 50 passes, the most of any single circuit.

The figures therefore tend to suggest that while DRS has aided overtaking in general, it has not had an overbearing influence. Silverstone, for example, witnessed just six DRS moves but produced a fraught and ever-changing race right up until the chequered flag. Istanbul meanwhile produced 50 DRS-assisted overtakes, but was no more memorable.

Analysis of the new Pirelli rubber provides similar conclusions. While much has been vaunted about the importance of fresh rubber, on average 54 per cent of overtaking has been done when the tyre ages had a difference of less than five laps – DRS assisted or not.

In high-wear circuits like Barcelona, the figure is slightly skewed as 'old' tyres – with more than five laps difference – accounted for 69 per cent of manoeuvres. In Montreal and Silverstone however, tyre wear – directly at least – had a much diminished impact.

The statistics therefore suggest that while DRS and the new Pirelli rubber may have contributed to overtaking, they have not become too important, or too decisive. Normal passes are not just still possible, but actually more frequent.

The data also suggests that each circuit's individual characteristics can have a heavy influence on the action. Turkey and China, with their long straights, produced a glut of overtaking, while the narrow confines of Monaco dented such ambitions.

At troublesome circuits like Valencia, yet to produce a truly gripping race, the new F1 initiatives have helped the show. But they have not artificially altered the game beyond recognition – Canada still produces great overtaking opportunities and great races, Valencia does not.

That variation is key to the sport's future, and suggests that – for now at least – the powers that be have got the new rules entirely correct.

it's a very well thought out piece and shows the drs isn't too influential as some say.

source: autosport

AUTO EXTRA busy these days. . .

So, what's going on in the F1 world?

Wow. It looks like Ferrari's improvements really are not being exaggerated by d "diffuser" situation. Meanwhile even with a return to pre-Silverstone engine condition, Mclaren continue to fall behind. It looks like its going to be Alonso Vs red bull for d next few races.

German Grand Prix Starting Grid
1.  Mark Webber           Red Bull-Renault          1n30.079s
2.  Lewis Hamilton        McLaren-Mercedes        + 0.055
3.  Sebastian Vettel      Red Bull-Renault           + 0.137
4.  Fernando Alonso       Ferrari                        + 0.363
5.  Felipe Massa          Ferrari                           + 0.831
6.  Nico Rosberg          Mercedes                       + 1.184
7.  Jenson Button         McLaren-Mercedes       + 1.209
8.  Adrian Sutil          Force India-Mercedes       + 1.931
9.  Vitaly Petrov         Renault                            + 2.108
10.  Michael Schumacher    Mercedes                 + 2.403


Surprisingly strong performance from Mclaren and Hamilton. It seems that Vettel is not driving anywhere near as confidently as he did at d start of d season. With d front row looking d way it is, as well as d prospect for changing weather conditions, tomorrow should be exciting.

What an exciting race. I suspected it would be good. A big well done to Lewis Hamilton who pushed hard from qualifying to d checkered flag today. Wonderful performance. Meanwhile, Vettel is looking increasingly vulnerable, throw in a few reliability issues into his car and there could still be life in WDC race. I just hope d remaining races provide this much entertainment. But why in heavens name does Webber always start so poorly. Had he held p1 at d start d result could have been so different for him. After a storming performance in qualifying he would be disappointed to only finish 3rd.

I am sure d Lewis fans will be making an appearance on this thread now that he delivered this weekend. 

There is only one McLaren in this race and its Lewis Hamilton.

Aggressive, Brilliant, Wick[i]i[/i]d.

What a race that was.

Alonso caught napping. Priceless.

Wat is happening to my Vettel, snap out of it. Let them feel the rot of ur drive

FBS: There is only one McLaren in this race and its Lewis Hamilton.

Aggressive, Brilliant, Wickid.

What a race that was.

Alonso caught napping. Priceless.

Lewis is several cuts above the rest of the field. He's by far the best F1 driver alive; he's been tested against two world champions in the same metal (Alonso in his rookie year and jenson currently) and has come out way ahead both times.

Its hard to emphasise that his quali time for that race was more than a second faster than Jensons, who lets be reminded again, is an F1 World champ. Damn!

That kid is gold! There's petrol in his veins.

^^snap out of it bro, if i'd listen to you, i would think the Ham was in his rookie year AND is a rookie against world champs.
the Ham IS a world champ himself and THEREFORE should be able to compete and beat some of these guys. . . . . .sometimes.

where was your "prodigy" when Jenson had the ride of his life a few races ago? where was your prodigy all this season?
pls anyone can drive well on given days, it has been proven time and time again and can be done by ANYONE OUT THERE

true champs are the ones who CONSTANTLY bring the good and therefore win championships (not drive like a brat all year and then win occasionally). so far, he got only ONE championship so YES he is better than most but definitely not (yet) as good as anyone who has won 2championships or more!

Sebastien Vettel resumes normal service and will start on pole tomorrow. Hamilton tried his best but couldn't do it.

^
Not bad from Red Bull competition. I see Lewis and Alonso finishing ahead of Vettel tomorrow, he can't waltz off into the distance now that other teams have caught up. He has to actually drive against others now and we know he lacks that ability.

MRbrownJAY:

^^snap out of it bro, if i'd listen to you, i would think the Ham was in his rookie year AND is a rookie against world champs.
the Ham IS a world champ himself and THEREFORE should be able to compete and beat some of these guys. . . . . .sometimes.

where was your "prodigy" when Jenson had the ride of his life a few races ago? where was your prodigy all this season?
pls anyone can drive well on given days, it has been proven time and time again and can be done by ANYONE OUT THERE

true champs are the ones who CONSTANTLY bring the good and therefore win championships (not drive like a brat all year and then win occasionally). so far, he got only ONE championship so YES he is better than most but definitely not (yet) as good as anyone who has won 2championships or more!

Lol! Stop griping! History doesn't lie, the rookie beat Alonso, a World champ, in the very same equipment. . . Not just over a couple of races, but over the whole season, rookies shouldn't do that to World champs. A damn rookie! Lol!

Nobody is remotely near Lewis, it has taken Alonso 4 years to recover from the shock and drop his hating and childish excuses. He is even praying for Lewis to take Vettel in the first corner right this moment in an interview as I type.

Someone is an anti-hamilton hater!
@Beaf we know dat Hamilton is very good but hw many WC does he have? Vettel is goin for no 2. Its only a british driver or sports team dat actually wins just 1 championship n claim to be d best they ever was.

brotha Beaf
we have been on this for the past 2yrs, let it go!!!!
do you get some bout of amnesia?! when the Ham was in his rookie year, he beat Alonso by few points, call it "rookie luck" lol.
you are making it sound like he won all the race ahead of Alonso. . . . . . . . . . . . stop day dreaming and lets see what happen tomorrow.

Darthmaul:

Someone is an anti-hamilton hater!
@Beaf we know dat Hamilton is very good but hw many WC does he have? Vettel is goin for no 2. Its only a british driver or sports team dat actually wins just 1 championship n claim to be d best they ever was.

If by British, you are talking about agencies like the BBC, Daily Mail and the rest of the reactionary/right-wing section of the tabloids, then you couldn't be more wrong. Lewis talent has been overwhelmingly recognised by the rest of the World, that recognition has been largely forced on the British.
Big up to Ron Dennis for standing up to a an all white, ol' boy environment and pushing forward a great talent regardless of origins; same to Lewis for breaking through barriers. To the British F1 establishment, Lewis is a foreigner.

After Lewis last win, BBC's Jake Humphreys approached no less than 4 people to canvass for Lewis to be punished for overtaking Massa on the last corner. Thats hardly British endorsement. Jake spoke to the following on live TV:
[list]
[li]Murray Walker[/li]
[li]Filipe Massa[/li]
[li]Stefano Domenicali (Ferarri)[/li]
[li]FIA Drivers Representative[/li]
[/list]
They all told him without fail, that there was nothing to complain about.

Lewis is a star because of his outstanding talent, not because he is British. The stats say so too, so far this year, Lewis is responsible for 20% of all overtakes. . . and he's just one guy. But, what a guy!

MRbrownJAY:

brotha Beaf
we have been on this for the past 2yrs, let it go!!!!
do you get some bout of amnesia?! when the Ham was in his rookie year, he beat Alonso by few points, call it "rookie luck" lol.
you are making it sound like he won all the race ahead of Alonso. . . . . . . . . . . . stop day dreaming and lets see what happen tomorrow.

True, we shouldn't be having these arguments after all this time. But its due to the strength of the completly unfair and sometimes offensive stuff that gets said about Lewis; especially due to Alonso's spat with McLaren, first with Ron Dennis after the infamous Monaco 2008. It is all down to Alonso fans.

Its funny, at the time Alonso joined McLaren I had a soft spot for Kimi, BUT was much more an Alonso guy, especially after giving Schumachar brake dust to inhale for two straight years. However, I switched after the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix when Alonso blocked Lewis from taking part in the 3rd quali; after that, the spygate scandal was the last straw.
There was also some grumbling from Lewis at being ordered to play number two, especially at Monaco 2007 where he was much much much faster than Fernando (word has it that Alonso later asked Ron Dennis to short fuel Lewis).
There where (and still are) too many dirty games, the straight road is preferable.

Kai, this Beaf guy sef. Let it go, we accept. "He has 20% of all overtakes" n hw many races has he won with d overtakes. If he had been on a team like say renault, bet he won't be dis celebrated. Most drivers in F1 are super talented. Talent, I would say again is never enough.