official F1 World Championship 2012 Thread

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Korean GP, FP1:

FP2:

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[philcruicks]

Interesting Quali, shame the Toro Rosso kinda ruined the pole shootout, but nice for Webber to get Pole, should be an good race tomorrow.

[Lingwo]

Yeah, it was a strange quali. Originally it looked like Hamilton and Alonso were struggling and look how it finished.

I don't think anyone will catch Red Bull tomorrow. I think it will be interesting to see if they ask Webber to give up the position to Vettel if it stays as it is at the end of the race.

Webber is a smart guy and i'm sure he would.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

From hero to zero: Kamui Kobayashi. Seriously, what the hell was his banzai move after the start about?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Ferrari being as subtle as always on the pit radio. 'Felipe, you're too close to Fernando.'

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Man of the race: Jean-?ric Vergne

Reject of the race: Kamui Kobayashi

[TheLegendOfMart]

Sigh........... what is going on with McLaren, they've been gradually going backwards all season, with accidents and retirements because of mechanical failures, now they've lost Hamilton. Even Ferrari is looking in better shape and they started this season on the backfoot.

I don't think they have a cat in hells chance of getting either driver or constructor to top of championship this year.

I hope the MP4-28 is going to be better than this abomination,

[MightyJordan]

Even in Formula 1, you can't escape it (they even had him waving the chequered flag at the finish). Thank god it was funny though. :p

[philcruicks]

Sebastian Vettel set to join Ferrari in 2014, but Massa stays for 2013

Double world champion Sebastian Vettel is set to join Ferrari in 2014, with Felipe Massa staying at the Italian team for 2013.

Sources inside Ferrari say they have signed a contract with Vettel, 25, with an option to join in 2014 depending on their results.

The contract is likely to define a position Ferrari must occupy in the title race at a point in 2013.

Vettel's potential arrival at Ferrari has been sanctioned by Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard, 31, has a say in the identity of his team-mate and vetoed the idea of Lewis Hamilton joining the team earlier this year.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/19941541

[MightyJordan]

Sebastian Vettel set to join Ferrari in 2014, but Massa stays for 2013

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/19941541

Alonso must have had a falling out with the team behind the scenes. Looks like Ferrari's gonna return to their Schumacher glory days next season.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Alonso must have had a falling out with the team behind the scenes. Looks like Ferrari's gonna return to their Schumacher glory days next season.

Read the article again. Vettel is supposedly going to become Alonso's team mate.

[MightyJordan]

Read the article again. Vettel is supposedly going to become Alonso's team mate.

Whoops, missed the 2014 bit, so I assumed he was joining alongside Massa.

That'll be even worse for the other teams. Ferrari will probably dominate the championship even more than Red Bull have the past few years.

[Lingwo]

Ferrari first need to make a championship winning car before they can do that (dominate) and if he does join in 2014, that is when the new engine rules are in place and the car will be completely new.

[Noir Angel]

I'm surprised Ferrari would do that given it was made pretty obvious that they weren't interested in anyone that could outclass Alonso. Moving to Ferrari given their recent form would be a massive risk for Seb but maybe like Lewis he feels a fresh challenge is needed?

[starbearer]

Ferrari have confirmed Felipe Massa will be driving for the team next year. Massa's seat had been the subject of much debate all season but it had been expected that he would be given the drive after improved performances in the last two races in Japan and Korea.

A press release from Ferrari issued on Tuesday afternoon said: "Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its contract with the driver Felipe Massa to the end of the 2013 race season. The Scuderia's driver lineup for next year is therefore made up of Fernando Alonso and the aforementioned Felipe Massa."

Massa's form has been under question all season, especially in comparison with team-mate Alonso, who is second in the world championship behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, but a second place in Japan and fourth in Korea was enough to ensure the Brazilian driver retained his place.

The contract is for one year only, however, amid reports that the team have already provisionally signed a deal to bring Vettel to Maranello in 2014.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/oct/16/felipe-massa-ferrari-new-contract

Confirmation, then, of the same line up at Ferrari for 2013.

With this, all of the front running teams have locked their driver line-ups. Red Bull, Mclaren, Ferrari, Mercedes have done so. Lotus are widely expected to retain both their current drivers. Teams with possible vacancies are Sauber, Force India, and perhaps Williams with Senna under threat. STR will probably retain their drivers, and so will Marussia. Caterham will hold on to Heikki, though Petrov is not so certain ( maybe with strong sponsorship). And it's anyone's guess what HRT are up to.

[Chasethebase Veteran]

Even though Williams have yet to confirm both drivers. Ifs likely MAL will stay due to the amount of money he brings in.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Onboard lap of the new US GP circuit at Austin, Texas:

Looks really promising.

[Noir Angel]

I like the look of it, seems like they have a good balance between technical and high speed corners, and a couple of potential overtaking points.

[123456789A]

I'm surprised Ferrari would do that given it was made pretty obvious that they weren't interested in anyone that could outclass Alonso. Moving to Ferrari given their recent form would be a massive risk for Seb but maybe like Lewis he feels a fresh challenge is needed?

Ferrari's contract has a clause stating Lewis cannot be Alonso's teammate unless Alonso explicitly agrees to it. Watching Vettle and Alonso both struggle in a less than optimal car would be interesting to watch, but I don't see why Vettle would leave his team now... they've been very consistent.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

[MightyJordan]

Interesting grid; Red Bull on the first row, McLaren on the second, and Ferrari on the third.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Man of the race: Mark Webber for defending P3 sans KERS

Reject of the race: Sergio Perez

[what]

HRT shouldn't be allowed to race if they can't make brakes that don't fail.

I also get the feeling Vettel is going to be triple world champion by the end of the season. The final three circuits suit the RB8 - particularly Interlagos - and I can't see Alonso keeping touch.

[123456789A]

HRT shouldn't be allowed to race if they can't make brakes that don't fail.

I also get the feeling Vettel is going to be triple world champion by the end of the season. The final three circuits suit the RB8 - particularly Interlagos - and I can't see Alonso keeping touch.

Unless Ferrari uses Massa to collide with Vettle and take him out of the points.