63Corvette

Comments!

Everett Ogilvie

Couldn't sleep last night and then it hit me - it was 2:19AM and I guessed the race might be on so I got up and watched it (missed the first 20 laps or so).

My comments? Pretty "interesting" race and potentially big Championship implications! That's all I am going to say so I am not too much of a spoiler.

Zoxxo

First, the FIA really needs to not suck up to the new venues and pass their new race tracks with just 10 days to go until race day The whole venue needed another year to "get real". For the kind of money that Bernie is extorting from these folks he should insist that they meet their end of the contract. Or better yet, just go away, Bernie.

Second, how in the world can Herman Tilke be "the go to guy" for circuit design and after all these years and tracks *still* come up with these Mickey Mouse features (see "blind 160 mph corner with the pit entrance on the racing line" for one example.) Come on, Herman! Yeesh. Tilke needs to do what the FIA did with the stewards this year - ASK AN ACTUAL F1 DRIVER TO REVIEW THE DESIGN!!

Fundamentally the track is pretty good. The details, though...

The race (once they got it going) was actually pretty OK. I feel bad for Webber. He probably threw away his only chance for a world championship. He should have learned a lesson from Alain Prost or just listened to Alonso ("All I need is podium finishes the rest of the way.")

They should have parked Sutil.

Z//

Slalom4me

I am not up to speed on comments about its shortcomings,
but it debuted nicely on my screen. I thought the camera
work was well done, too.

That was quite the series of performances from him - left his
brains in the back pocket of his civvies.

Mr Vettel's sprint there at the end may have saved the team
some difficulty.

.

Zoxxo

Not many. The pit in and pit out are seriously lame and dangerous and will, no doubt, be different next year. And in several places the curbs were *below* the track surface (!!!) How the ***k do you manage that?! How can you spend $250 million dollars and still get THAT wrong?

The only thing I can figure is that he was driving for his seat since there's lots of talk about replacing him next year (the Indian race is coming on line and Force India will want an Indian driver.)

edit: I just read Adam Cooper's blog where it was reported that (a) Sutil and Buemi got 5 grid spot penalties for Brazil and (b) Sutil was having brake problems - the car was locking up randomly

You've lost me on this one. Vettel blew up and failed to finish so how did he help anything? Red Bull came away with zero points.

Z//

johninar

curbing was poor. and pit entrance looked like a rookie picked it.
I agree the track was not ready for this race. I hope Austin is taking notes.

varkwso

Feel bad for Webber - Lewis drove a heck of a race and, in the end, I just do not like Alonso....

But it made me feel like I was watching an SCCA or NASA race from all the yellows!

argonaut

I enjoyed the race quite a bit. When I first tuned in it seemed like a disaster in the making (red flag, possible 1/2 points, possible non-finish before dark) but once they got going it was pretty good. Lots of action in the back of the field if nothing else. I really feel for Webber. I was disappointed in Button's performance, when did he forget how to drive in the rain. I'm not an Alonso fan but he drove a very good race. Do you think he caught Vettle on his own, or do you think the RBR engine was already giving up when Alonso passed him?

I like the track, it looks like a blast to drive. I have to say I was really surprised at all the walls and areas where there isn't much runoff. Scratching my head over that pit in, how the heck could the FIA give that the green light, clearly politics in play here.

What were they saying about the traffic jam getting in? 2hrs? Hope Tavo was listening.

Zoxxo

Given Vettel's nature and history (he does NOT slow down and cruise to the finish) I think it's a given that the telemetry was telling the pits that he was in trouble (and surely he could feel it, too.) So Alonso was catching him because he was slowing in hopes of (a) making it to the end and getting some points, and/or (b) getting them to call the race because of darkness ("I can't even see the braking markers! Waaaaah." ) Good luck with that Sebastian.

Z//

John Shiels

Great race but the track is not a safe as a newly designed track could be. Like him or not Alonso was great on the bald tires at the end. Would not mind seeing Webber win it all.

VetteDrmr

Before the race I thought it was going to be "ugly" (meaning a lot of attrition) and entertaining to watch on TV. When I saw it raining, I added "sloppy" to the list. The race didn't disappoint.

While I'm also not an Alonso fan, ya gotta respect his drive at Korea. Put himself into position for a podium, moved into 2nd when Webber went off (there went one of my favorites), and got the win when SV expired (well, his car ).

Like others have mentioned, I hope Austin paid attention to this one.

Have a good one,
Mike

varkwso

20 mile traffic jam - Texans will not take that well...

Slalom4me

Sorry, I was being vague to not spoil the finish for others.

The remark was about Vettel's rapid exit and dash for a fire extinguisher
after he parked the car. Although he pulled up at what appeared to be
a track crew station, help to put out the fire did not seem to be
immediately forthcoming.

No doubt there was still a mess for the team to repair before Brazil,
but perhaps his footwork spared them some effort/preserved some
equipment ?

.

Jason

Team Old Guy is now pulling for Team ABA. Anyone But Alonso.

drivinhard

doesn't webber still have 2 fresh engines? alonso has none correct?

I think it's gonna be a great race to the end. still pulling for webbie

varkwso

Last turn on the last lap of the last race....

Jason

Ferrari always manages to make repair/rebuilds "within FIA specifications" when they have to.

drivinhard

seasoned block, fresh rotating assembly

actually I tried to look, is there a listing of the teams and what engines/mileage they have on them? It wasn't many races ago webber had a while pile of fresh ones.

63Corvette

My opinion is that the next two races are gonna be mighty tight for all the teams. I think they finish racing on Sunday....pack up after the race and can't possibly ship before Monday. Then it's (about) 12,000 miles to the next race, so they can't unpack until say, Wednesday, They have Thursday to repair any damage from Brazil, and then the final race is Sunday It's gonna be an exciting final two weeks!

Zoxxo

Webber installed his 8th engine for Korea. Only Barrichello, the two Renaults, and the two HRTs have a fresh engine to work with for the last two races.

Here's a listing:

http://www.vivaf1.com/engine.php

Z//