Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Darwock]

No Honda own Suzuka, Toyota own Fuji. Big rivalry...

[Alastair]

Well, I was nearly right. Same principal though I imagine. I bloody love Suzuka, will be sad to see it go

Thanks for the quotage.

[Alastair]

Here's the bikes schedule

MotoGP:
Jerez

Saturday 25th

BBC Interactive
1255-1400 - Qualifying live

Sunday 26th

BBC Two
1240-1400 - Race live
BBC Interactive
1400-1430 - MotoGP Extra


BSB:
Sunday 26th
ITV1
1500-dunno

[Richard.John]

Business as usual from Fernando. He really is the most complete driver on the grid these days. Superb job!

Button should change his name to Jailbird Jense as he keeps getting raped from behind. Was he asleep or something? I am no fan, and today just proved why he is just all hype. He just can't hack it over a races distance. IMO, if he can't win from pole then he never will, barring retirements from the usual suspects.

And Montoya is, well, an idiot. He's like Mansell all over again. Foot in mouth syndrome.

[smallvillex]

Jenson Button....

My man Kimi was unlucky today. But Alonso...is No. 1 am by the looks of it...will be for quite a long time. Amazing drive today for him and Renault...

What the hell happened to Montoya...i want answers Mclaren...

[Ginger Tosser]

A pic of the F1 Button damage http://upload4.postimage.org/104586/f1accide.jpg

[HaHaUK]

Just watched highlights, and another action-packed race.

Jenson: LOL LMFAO ROFL

[Largo]

hehe that was pretty appalling luck for Button, how many of us were guilty of negative thoughts? :P

Watching it today i had a brief convo with a friend which reminded me of the 90s F1 intro with Fleetwood Mac's The Chain guitar solo, id love to see that intro again....but where....where

[Streets Of Rage]

That intro was too good, I miss it!

Can't believe Honda asked Jens to pull over and waste 3 points, just to miss a 10 place drop in imola, i mean i suppose if they can sort out the grip problems they would be in with a chance to win, avoid the first lap melee and at imola thers nower to pass, but i cant see them solving the grip prob that quick, think its a bad decision!

But Pat Symonds said he'd have done the same thing and the mans a genius so it might turn out to be a very good decision

[Richard.John]

That decision though proves that all they want is a win, presumably for the PR it will bring in Japan. They obviously have little regard for their WCC position as they threw away points literally 50 metres from home. It now seems that the tyres were not up to scratch. Add on Rubens' lack of pace and Honda are having a real nightmare at the mo considering their pre season favourite tag.

And of course, utterly crazy rules when you have cars not finishing for tactical reasons. What about the show Bernie??

[cutmymilk]

Rubens is awful and his constant excuses are just embarassing.

Jenson is not going to win this year at this rate. He is a nearly man and is always being hyped for wins but he just hasn't got race pace. He is F1's Tim Henman, really.

I thought, even after quali, that it would be Kimi-Alonso straight racing. But Mclaren just arent there unfortunately. And this time it was VERY fair. Actually, even as a Mclaren fan, I said that if Alonso doesnt win (because of the safety cars taking his lead), it just wouldnt be deserved by Kimi.

Mclaren need to pull tehir finger out. As do Honda.

[Alastair]

I enjoyed the race, shame to see the safety car out so often but the crashes were good signs or drivers really going for it for once. Too many times last year it just felt like everyone was taking part in a practice session or test day.

I like Button and was glad to see him get away from the line well this time but it was a frustrating race to watch as a Button fan. Maybe Alonso's crazy flinging about of the car to warm up the tyres helps him on the re-starts? Any one else notice how violent he is with it? I wonder how he holds on to it every time I see him do it (Montoya obviously couldn't ). Button looked like he was just gently turning by comparison.

The decision to retire instead of get 6th can be viewed from both angles with plus sides for both, personally I think it's a dumb rule that has a detrimental effect on the sport as seen yesterday, retiring like that is not good PR for F1, Button or Honda. If they don't win at Imola they will look stupid for that decision.

Was very impressed with the Torro Rossos, shame Speed got a 2 place penalty for overtaking under yellows. I saw that happen earlier in the race with other drivers though when the marshalls were holding out the SC boards and waving yellows, surely that's the same?

All of you that said Barrichello would trounce Button this season, well, looks like he's not quite there yet, time will tell I guess but for now he will just have to continue "struggling like a bitch"

Roll on Imola, shame about the 3 week wait and also a shame that I'll be sunning it up in India when the race is on! Any chance anyone could record it onto DVD for me? I don't have enough space on 1 disc what with all the stuff the GF has me recording while we're off for 2 weeks!

[Darwock]

And of course, utterly crazy rules when you have cars not finishing for tactical reasons. What about the show Bernie??

I don't think it's that big a deal when you consider the huge explosion that was his engine, it's not like he chose not to finish for no apparent reason. From a negative PR point of view it's a non issue, your average viewer is not going to know the background and will assume he stopped because.. well he had no engine!

That end was absolutely hilarious, I was watching it live and really wanted my kip but I had so much adrenaline from rolling about on the floor in stitches that I couldn't sleep!

[Darwock]

Always great when you get the chance to meet your heroes:



I bet Ralf couldn't believe his luck at getting to meet Lou Carpenter!

[Richard.John]

I assume that it's a demo/PR chassis as it lacks all of the 'orrible winglets. Shame as Ralfie could've broken all of the windows and ear drums in Ramsay street with a couple of doughnuts.