[clarkson]

Hamilton is nearly 10kg lighter than Button, so I feel it is going to come down to how much of an advantage the cheat button is going to give him. The sooner they ditch KERS the better IMHO.

 

[clarkson]

Race should be interesting i think, hamilton will kill his rear tyres.

I think both of the Mclarens and the Red Bulls will suffer lateral graining issues. I am hopeful it will come to a direct fight between Button and Barrichello. Both the Brawns should be able to go longer than any of the cars in front of them and if past form is anything to go by, they will use their tyres better in these temperatures.

1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 653.0
2. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 655.0
3. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 662.5
4. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 654.0
5. Button Brawn-Mercedes 661.5
6. Raikkonen Ferrari 661.5
7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota 665.0
8. Alonso Renault 656.5
9. Webber Red Bull-Renault 664.5
10. Kubica BMW-Sauber 657.5
11. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber 677.0
12. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 672.5
13. Glock Toyota 694.7
14. Grosjean Renault 677.7
15. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 688.5
16. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes 692.5
17. Nakajima Williams-Toyota 702.0
18. Trulli Toyota 707.3
19. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 678.5
20. Badoer Ferrari 690.5

 

[clarkson]

Trying to one stop?

I think the most interesting fuel results is Kovalainin really keeping Hamilton honest with more fuel on board than him, and Rosberg again qualifying well, but also do so whilst running pretty heavy.

Mclaren are using two different chassis at Valencia, one short wheel base and one long wheel base. IIRC Hamilton has the short one, it might prove that Kovalainen has the better package. Also Hamilton is on a permanent contract, whilst Kovalainen has been told to hurry up or your out, it appears that he might have done that.

 

[clarkson]

Fernando Alonso - 'me me me me me me me me me me me me'

He loves himself

Of course he does, he is a Formula One driver.

 

[clarkson]

Predicitons for the title?

As much as i'd like Button to win it, it's his for the losing now... I suspect Vettel is going to win. Although I would absolutely love it if Barrichello could pull it out of the bag!

I don't honestly think Vettel is in with a shout. RBR are more than likely have to favour Webber. Vettel has only two engines to last 6 race weekends. Christian Horner was on the Red Button coverage after the race and even he suggested that Vettel might have to run a 9th engine, in which case Vettel will loose 10 grid spots at every subsequent race. I think it'll come down to a straight fight between the Brawns.

 

[clarkson]

Ahh ok, I didnt know about the engine, I had the red button coverage on, but must have missed the Horner bit. I just have a feeling red bull are going to do it, not sure why.

The other thing to consider are the Mclarens. If Hamilton is consistently challenging for wins it'll make RBR's attempt at the title harder. All Button has to do is out score the RBRs and he has got it.

 

[clarkson]

Exactly, the return to form of the Mclarens actually plays massively into Brawns and Buttons hands.

Much as I can't stand the silver cars, I am more than happy to watch them take points from RBR.

 

[clarkson]

Ahh ok, I didnt know about the engine, I had the red button coverage on, but must have missed the Horner bit. I just have a feeling red bull are going to do it, not sure why.

It seems that it might actually be a little worse for RBR and Vettel...

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090823184807.shtml

 

[clarkson]

Not good at all!!!

That's his championship contention well and truly over then, shame.

That'll teach him for being a lead foot. Yes he is fast, but he doesn't have the smoothness or the ability to nurse a car.

 

[clarkson]

Ferrari have confirmed Badoer for Spa

Pfffffffffft :lol:

Ferrari have already switched development on to next years car, why would they want to pay someone else to drive when they already have this guy. They are holding out for a season finale with Schumacher.

 

[clarkson]

Pride / shame I guess?

Pretty sure there's enough drivers out there who would drive for free (aside from sponsorship) to showcase themselves for next season anyway.

Alternatively Gene is on the payrol already and is currently racing in other categories.

Let's face it he couldn't be much worse....

Mark Gene might have been overlooked as he has been linked to a drive in 2010 with Campos F1. He also commentates on the Italian F1 coverage for Sky Italia. Reading the driver lists there are plenty that are available, that could actually bring money to the team. Nelson Piquet Jnr or Bruno Senna are two that spring to mind. I didn't actually think that Piquet was that bad.

 

[clarkson]

That's why they are trying to run three cars next season

You'll need a major rule change for that and in the current climate of cost cutting it will never happen. They would also have to renegotiate the new Concorde agreement too. Assuming that there is either a rescue deal for Sauber or another team is given their grid slot, would you really want to see 39 cars on the grid?

 

[clarkson]

I wouldn't mind seeing them give it a go.

You're such a pessimist.

Nope a realist. Do you really see 39 cars going around Monaco? How exactly are they going to accommodate garages for 39 cars in the pit lanes? Traffic is bad enough in qualifying already.