Official F1/Motorsport thread

[NW2013]

Looking forward to seeing how Red Bull get on without the exhaust-blown diffuser thingys.

[NecronomiconUK]

Would love to see them crippeled but Adrian Newey is no mug. There will be a boat load of new aero that will work first time and make up for any deficit they could have suffered. I don't think the car is a one trick pony that relied as heavily on the system as some would like to believe.

[Bort]

It could be an even more eventful weekend than just a quick rule change.

It seems that Renault and Red Bull have bull****ted the FIA into allowing them to retain some off-throttle goodness on the grounds of reliability and parity.

Just rumour and speculation at the moment. Nothing official yet.

[Bort]

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changing.

There is currently a meeting of the Technical Working Group happening over lunch but earlier they reverted back to the 10% off throttle for all. The fired over-run exemption that Mercedes (engines) were given has been extended to all of the teams but Red Bull are pissy about that as they can't use it due to reliability.

[NW2013]

Seems like RB were sandbagging a bit in free practice 3 and they're mysteriously back on top. What the heck has happened to McLaren though?

[abigsmurf]

Whoever does McLaren's race strategy is an idiot.

What were they hoping to achieve sending them out on awful tyres? Especially when rain was immenent.

[Rossco]

McLaren are utter crap now. Constantly seem to make mistake like that. Rain is coming, one FAST lap needed, so send them out on used tyres!? Where is the sense. There can be no logical reason for that. You have to put a banker lap in, qualifying is of utmost importance nowadays yet they keep throwing a blind eye to it somehow.

[Flabio]

Think this one is probably Webber's. He seems a little better around this track than Vettel.

[Bort]

Alonso leads into the first corner. Vettel will bide his time then romp away into the distance.

Vetell, Webber, Alonso, Massa. BELIEVE!

[Flabio]

Damp at the moment... could be fun this one.

[NW2013]

Well done to Alonso. Possibly would have won anyway even without Red Bull's pitstop mistake.

Interesting last couple of laps with Massa/Hamilton and the Red Bulls.

Protip for McLaren: Don't tell everyone what you're going to do in advance.

[NecronomiconUK]

I think FOM broadcasting a number of quite critical McLaren radio messages was somewhat harsh but ultimately they threw away a good result themselves. The lolipop man should have been hung drawn and quartered for releasing Jenson when the wheel man had not given a 'clear' signal. Utterly unacceptable how a team with their experience keeps making these sorts of mistakes.

[Rossco]

McLaren **** up again... matter of time before JB and LH leave for better pastures unless something changes quick!!

[NecronomiconUK]

Where would they go though, really? Might be one spot available at Red Bull but can you see either of them wanting to play second fiddle to Vettel like Webber had to this weekend? Mercedes are kinda the only other vague alternative but would be foolish based on their recent performance. There really isn't any 'better pastures' currently. The only sane option would be for them to stay where they are. I love McLaren but Christ they need to get their heads straight.

[Harry]

We could see a swap of teams for Webber and Hamilton next year I think.