2011 Formula One Season

[Troy]

I do aswell since he is still only 23 years old. He has a long time left in the sport and he will always be with the top manufacturer. The fact that he won a race in a Torro Rosso showed how much natural talent he has. Hamilton will be a threat to him for many years to come though if McLaren can get their things together.

 

[Doink]

He is a natural talent and I think that Hamilton or Vettel will win the title for the next 7 years

 

[Troy]

The only way that won't happen is if another team dramatically improves their car, Ferrari will get their car right sooner or later and will be able to challenge them.

 

[Doink]

Renault have improved this season and if they continue to improve they could challenge. Vitaly Petrov continues to impress me.

 

[Troy]

Very true they have been impressive especially since they are missing their top driver Kubica. I just wonder how well they could do if it was Kubica and Petrov racing for them this year. I think that they could have come third in the constructors championship, although they are still a chance at that now with Petrov and Heidfeld.

 

[Doink]

Yeah, losing Kubica was a big blow for them but Hiedfeld has stepped up well. They will be in with a shout of beating Ferrari this year.

 

[Troy]

Heidfeld getting on the podium has been one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. I just didn't expect it from him but it shows what a good driver he is and also how good Renaults car is.

Mercedes are improving as well with Rosberg getting fourth last GP so I wonder if they can challenge Ferrari and Renault as well.

 

[Doink]

Yeah, they are improving. I'm suprised that Ferrari have weakened by this much.

 

[Troy]

I have read reports that the bosses of Ferrari aren't happy at all and wouldn't be surprised if they start firing a bunch of technicians. They just can't keep up with the development of Red Bull and McLaren and they may need to get a new head of technical development.

 

[Troy]

The Turkish GP is one week away. Last year Webber qualified on pole but finished third behind Hamilton and Button. Vettel didn't finish due to the famous collision with Webber when Vettel tried to pass him on a straight and then for some reason turned right into Webber. Red Bull lost out on a 1-2 finish last year and will want to rectify that this year.

 

[Troy]

First and second practice was held today and Button topped second practice followed by Rosberg, Hamilton, Schumacher and Webber. Vettel didn't do a lap in the practice due to damaging his car in the first practice.

If the track is wet again tomorrow it should make for an interesting qualifying session.

 

[Troy]

The top ten for the race tonight is;

Vettel, Webber, Rosberg, Hamilton, Alonso, Button, Petrov, Schumacher, Heidfeld and Massa.

Can't wait for this race since so far this season has been one of the best partially due to the tyres. Lots of overtaking which makes the race exciting right to the end.

 

[Troy]

Awesome start to the race. Rosberg on the clean side of the track flew past Webber and challenged Vettel. Hamilton then tried to pass Webber but went wide and dropped to sixth. Petrov and Schumacher then touched when Schumacher didn't concede the place to Petrov, he should have conceded that place because now he has had to pit to change his wing. He could have passed Petrov at the next corner because Petrov was never going to take the apex.

Webber just passed Rosberg and Alonso is now close behind in fourth with the two McLaren's battling for fifth.

 

[Troy]

So much happening. Alonso up to third after a clean pass on Rosberg. Hamilton and Button kept trading places but Button ended up ahead. Massa then passed Hamilton just before both pitted but Hamilton come out of the pits first. It looks like he will come under investigation from the stewards for unsafe release as Massa had to take evasive action rather than Hamilton so it will be looked at. Webber, Alonso and Rosberg all pit as well. Potentially a four stop race. Vettel about to pit as well.

 

[Troy]

Massa just locked up his tyres but luckily for him he was near the pits and was able to get to the pits quickly. Webber and Alonso pitted for the second time before and both are still a long way behind Vettel.

Current top ten standings:

Vettel, Webber, Alonso, Button, Hamilton, Massa, Buemi, Barrichello, Sutil and Petrov