Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Roddie]

Massa had the pace for pole and the win last year, so don't think Hamilton can walk it like he did at the last race. There have been reports that it's due to be wet (which would favour McLaren), but haven't we heard this for last umpteen races??

I'm hoping that Hamilton will just be sensible and hang back since he only needs to finish fifth at worst. Hope we don't see any dirty tactics from anyone and, equally, I don't want to see it all decided by some sort of mechanical failure. With Kovalainen's puncture in the last race, and an engine failure in the race before, it's hard not to be slightly concerned about the chances of that.

[CMcK]

I think Ferrari will underfuel Massa and Raikkonen to get them on the front row and use Kimi to hold Hamilton off. With Schumacher as a team adviser I wouldn't be surprised to see Hamilton rammed off the road.

[Shez]

I don't think Hamilton is going to slip up now, but it's not just Massa and Raikkonen he has to worry about.

I'd think Hamilton and Mclaren would want to win this from the front and not from riding home in 5th - I'll be surprised if they play it that safe, although I think Hamilton is on his second race with the current engine so that will be a factor.

But yeah, reliability aside, I think Hamilton shouldnt have too many problems.

I'm looking forward to the practice times, they are going to be quite important at showing us the pace of the front runners. If Hamilton is up there, then it's all over in my opinion.

[Roddie]

Of course they'd ideally like to win from the front, but I don't think they'll risk the WDC just for that, especially since they'd need something to happen to Ferrari for any chance of toppling that 11 point lead in the constructors' championship.

I'd like to think Hamilton will be sensible enough to sit pretty in third place, should he find himself behind the two Ferraris.

[Rossco]

I honestly think LH will pull it all out the bag and do a clean sweep in the practices, qualifying and race day.

At least I hope he does anyway.

He really needs to not risk things in the race though.

[Alastair]

Don't know if this is common knowledge or not but as it's DC's last race every other team has granted him permission to run an individual livery. He's chosen the colours of his preferred charity, Wings for Life.

EDIT - Found a couple of better pics:

[Dazzyman]

Hamilton will win drivers championship and finish 3rd but Massa will win the race and Ferrari the constructers is my prediction.

[TheForce]

Hamilton will take the championship in style, beat Massa at his home grandprix and show him who's the champ !

[Alastair]

DC is running a helmet cam in practice, bloody brilliant.

[NecronomiconUK]

Potentially British world champion
Farewell to David Coulthard
Last GP on ITV

Christ, should be one hell of a weekend

[Rossco]

Nice car DC, and I love the helmet cam! Need to see more of that!

[Roddie]

DC is running a helmet cam in practice, bloody brilliant.

Looks great! All drivers should have it.

[Roddie]

The only people not holding hands are Lewis and Kimi.

[Alastair]

Massa
Hamiliton
Kimi
Kubica
Kovi
Alonso

Top 6 after practice 1

[VR46]

Kimi will no doubt be fuelled really light to ensure he gets pole, Ferrari have got to control the race from the front and hope Hamilton makes a mistake/has a technical problem. Should be a great qualifying and race (especially the start and first couple of corners), really cannot wait.