2011 Formula One World Championship

[purch]

Less than a week away now folks and I'm starving for some more F1 action as the teams travel to almost everyone's fave circuit, Spa. SO what's been happening over the summer break?

Well..

I think firstly that McLaren, and Ferrari to a lesser extent, are starting to make some serious inroads into the RBR advantage on-track. Unless RedBull have found a few tricks up their sleeves in the break then it should get closer for the rest of the season.

Schumi has allegedly vowed to drive on in 2012. He has no plans of retirement. Bit of a shame really, not to give a younger bloke a go, esp. since NR has generally been spanking his pants for 18 months now.

Bernie has been playing tricks again...Sky has bought the rights to F1 coverage until 2018. From next year the BBC will only be showing 10 races live, the others will be "delayed highlights". I do wonder what this will mean for us in Ozland. Do we still get qualy? Does onehd still get all the races? Will live streaming take off to shove it up Bernie's a$$? Seeing that the FOM is the commercial rights holder it is very funny when he comes out and says "the BBC forced our hand"... then again it might not be that funny...

Kubica is to have further surgery on his right elbow.

What we have to look forward to...

[purch]

Bruno Senna to replace Heidfeld from Belguim onward:

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7122219/Heidfeld-Out-Senna-In-At-Belgian-GP

[Grahaml]

Ah, the usual "we're improving a lot after the break and think we'll be far more competitive" line that those behind the pace setters always trot out.

This championship is over unless Vettel suddenly parks the car into a few gravel traps. Can't see him finishing outside the top 5 too often, and can't see any single driver winning out enough times to mount a serious challenge. From what I can gather, he'd have to lose over 10 points a race to get beat. 3rd place in every race will be enough, even if one driver wins every race till the end!

[tigerland09]

Webber re-signs with red bull for next season.

[Jim05]

Schumacher out of Q1 after losing a wheel and slamming the wall

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Classy stuff by Maldonado...

[Jim05]

Vettel pinches pole in last few seconds. Hamilton 2nd, Webber 3rd

[RustyCage]

Classy stuff by Maldonado...

and only a 5 grid place penalty to show for it

[The Sleeping Giant]

Bernie has been playing tricks again...Sky has bought the rights to F1 coverage until 2018. From next year the BBC will only be showing 10 races live, the others will be "delayed highlights". I do wonder what this will mean for us in Ozland. Do we still get qualy? Does onehd still get all the races? Will live streaming take off to shove it up Bernie's a$$? Seeing that the FOM is the commercial rights holder it is very funny when he comes out and says "the BBC forced our hand"... then again it might not be that funny...

It may go to FOXTEL.

[purch]

Missed qualy last night, but it looks like 2 drivers pulled off some surprises:

Jaime Alguersuari, 6th in an STR, and
Bruno Senna, 7th for Renault, outqualifying Alonso, and outpacing teammate Petrov in Q1, 2 and 3.

Should make for an interesting race tonight

[Jim05]

Missed qualy last night, but it looks like 2 drivers pulled off some surprises:

Jaime Alguersuari, 6th in an STR, and
Bruno Senna, 7th for Renault, outqualifying Alonso, and outpacing teammate Petrov in Q1, 2 and 3.

Should make for an interesting race tonight

Qualy was difficult last night with intermittant rain, drivers would put on slicks only for it to rain and guys would come out in wets and it would stop raining 10 seconds after they exited pits, was a lot of luck and tactics last night

[purch]

Some amazing wheel to wheel racing at the moment. Webber...another sh1t start, but his move on Alonso around the outside at Eau Rouge was phenomenal. Good defensive driving in the early stages from Nico too, to hold up the faster cars behind him. Might make for an interesting race.

[purch]

Hamilton out...big shunt after contact with Kobayashi...

Vettel pits again already..this is great

[purch]

Ricciardo out after getting up to 15th place

[Jim05]

Red Bull 1-2
Vettel leads home Webber. Button comes from 13th to nick 3rd off Alonso with 2 laps remaining. Schumacher with a great drive to finish in 5th after starting last

[RustyCage]

At Monza this weekend, quickest GP of the year

[mickey]

At Monza this weekend, quickest GP of the year

With 2 DRS zones it will be a great race. Especially when Ferrari put both drivers on the podium again

[brod]

Real possibilty to have a Red Bull Free podium this weekend

[Jim05]

Real possibilty to have a Red Bull Free podium this weekend

No chance, another Red Bull 1-2 procession coming up

[Jim05]

Final Qualifying
1- Vettel
2- Hamilton
3- Button
4- Alonso
5- Webber
6- Massa
7- Schumacher
8- Petrov
9- Rosberg
10- Senna