Japan GP: Fuji Speedway

[drunken monkey]

After 30 years F1 returned to Fuji after having only hosted two races previously. Personally, Suzuka is probably my favourite track and would have perfered to see them there instead, especially because of the rain but it was a hell of a race in Japan none-the-less.

Let's ignore the usual mumbles and grumbles (intermediates? wtf?) and talk about the driving. Rain has always shown who the really good drivers are on the track and I have to say, today it showed that Hamilton can drive in the wet and has incredible feel for grip, going out as far as he needed, ignoring the racing line to take each corner as they come. His little nudge near the end by another car taking the "normal" line is evident that not everyone can do it as instinctively as he can.

Alonso, maintaining that 2 odd second gap between him and Hamilton is another indicator of just how he is when visiblity is virtually zero. Really unfortunate how it ended for him.

Raikkonen pulled of what every great driver of the past has done in the wet; climb up the ranks as if it weren't raining on his own little private track. The ferrari was running with less downforce than the other cars and yet he could slice his way through the pack after having to go in to change to the "proper" tyres.

And last but not least, we have Jenson Button showing that he too can really drive when he is given a chance. The rain is always a good equaliser and his qualifying shows just how in touch he is with the car and the surface. It's going to be interesting next year whenHonda (hopefully) sort out their wind tunnel issues.

[freakray]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

After 30 years F1 returned to Fuji

Saw Ferrari found a reason to gripe - again.

[DinanM3_S2]

Interesting race. I didn't like it quite as much as Hungary last year, but this one had its moments.

Hamilton did very well, but he (like in Canada) had all the luck in the world. When Alonso stopped for his only stop, he pulled out right behind traffic, when Hamilton stopped the next lap, he came out right ahead, giving him about 4 places on Alonso. Alonso was pretty much stuck in a bad place the rest of the race, eventually got damaged, and crashed out. Ferrari was a non-factor in Lewis' race. Whether you think they really didn't get the message from the stewards about the full wets or you think they were trying to bypass the rules it doesn't really matter, they were at the back when the opening safety car pulled in. Both Kimi and Massa did an outstanding job of pulling back. Poor Massa would have been on the podium had he not had to pit (team orders?). Hamilton was very lucky Kubica didn't hit him a little further up or a little further back.

I felt bad for Webber and Vettel. Both were having potential race-of-the-years. Unfortunately, a combination of low visibility, low grip, and constant going and stopping by many of the drivers under the safety car caused this crash. I really wish these guys wouldn't suddenly stop under SC to try to get the guy behind them to accidently pass or whatever. Nevertheless, Vettel appears to be an absolutely fantastic driver. If I were Toyota, Renault, McLaren (possibly/maybe/depends on the rumors), or any of the other teams looking for new drivers next year he should be at the top of their lists. I don't care what the conditions were, P3 in a STR should be praised.

Three other drivers that should definitely be praised are Adrian Sutil, David Coulthard, and Heikki Kovalainen. Sutil scored Spyker's first ever points after Luizzi was penalized. This is another very good driver on a lesser team that deserves to be picked up by a middle of the road team. David Coulthard (remember that guy?) showed that he still has it. He was outperformed by Webber, but 4th place is still very respectable. Finally, Heikki Kovalainen was outstanding. He struggled miserably early in the year, but is now coming to form and performing very well. He definitely deserves to keep his Renault spot. First Renault podium of the year.

Jenson Button looked like he could have had a great race as well, but unfortunately his front wing was taken out by Heidfeld .

Man of the Race- Heikki Kovalanen. He held off Kimi Raikkonen and managed 2nd in a difficult race. Best result from Renault all season.

Pass of the Race- Massa-Kubica-Massa-Kubica-Massa-Kubica-Massa on the final lap. Holy crap. That was absolutely amazing. Those two guys totally let their inhibitions, experience, and training go out the window and just went absolutely all out for the position. Massa has never been known as a good wet weather driver, but those last moves were amazing. That was possibly the new pass of the year.

The championship is now pretty much in Hamliton's hands and it just goes to show how important reliability is. One crash and now Alonso is closer to Kimi in 3rd in the WDC chase then Hamilton in 1st. For the sake of an all-on-the-line Brazilian GP, I hope Hamilton crashes in China, Kimi takes 1st, Massa takes 2nd, and Alonso takes 3rd. That way, there would be a very real chance that anyone could win the WDC in the last race.

Just think Tifosi... had Kimi and Massa not had reliability problems, Kimi's Monaco crash, and Massa not getting fueled in Hungary qualifying, Ferrari would be right in this one. Maybe McLaren stole Ferrari's 2006 reliablity handbook too...

[Dyno247365]

It was definitely a sick race, but I was really looking forward to SUZUKA and I find out it's not on the list. The funniest quote from the SPEED broadcast, "I got an email here from one of the viewers saying who's bright idea was it to hold a race at Fuji in september?". Second funniest quote from SPEED, "He was told he was feeling some vibration in his tires"- referring to Massa pitting. I say that was a no-risk-involved team strategy because Raikkonen couldn't afford to be caught in traffic if he was gonna shoot for passing Kovalainen, especially in that weather. Grats to both Finns being on the podium.

I like how every other second, was "the drivers can't see anything" to "what kind of tires are ferrari wearing?". The safety car drove for so long it had to pit for gas!!

It wasn't Vettel's fault!!! Webber tried to take Hamilton's line.

And RAIKKONEN FTWDCW!!!

[SuperStock96]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

Rain has always shown who the really good drivers are on the track and I have to say, today it showed that Hamilton can drive in the wet and has incredible feel for grip, going out as far as he needed, ignoring the racing line to take each corner as they come. His little nudge near the end by another car taking the "normal" line is evident that not everyone can do it as instinctively as he can.

I finally just finished watching the Chinese Grand Prix and I just had to laugh when I read the above quote about Hamilton's incredible feel for grip.

I am just joking though. Nobody saw that coming.