Valencia GP Thread containing Practice/Qualifying/Race spoilers

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

Spoiler:

The Valencia Street Circuit will host the eighth round of the 2012 Formula One World Championship. Valencia has been home to the European Grand Prix since 2008. Following rounds in Monaco and Montreal, it is the third race in a row to be held on a ‘street’ circuit.

This track features four long straights but also more corners than any other current F1 venue, ten of which are taken in low gears. It requires teams to strike a difficult balance between high straight-line speed on the four 300kph-plus sections, and excellent low-speed grip and traction. It’s a circuit that rewards a good all-round car: every year the winning team in Valencia has gone on to lift the Constructors’ Championship.

As is often the case for street circuits, qualifying position will be at a premium: three times from the four races here the man qualifying in pole position has gone on to win the race. Pitstops have a role to play also. Pirelli are bringing Medium and Soft compound tyres, the same combination that featured last year. Unlike in Canada, where a one-stop strategy provided two podium finishes, the slippery surface in Valencia and the high-load corners tend to induce much greater tyre wear. Last year the strategy used exclusively by the front-runners was three equal-length stints on the soft tyre followed by a switch to the medium rubber at the end of the race. However, alternative strategies were successful lower down the order: Sergio Pérez managed a one-stop race that elevated him from 16th on the grid to 11th at the chequered flag, while Jaime Alguersuari was catapulted from 18th to eighth with a two-stopper.

The 2012 season has rewritten records so far, with the first seven races of the year producing seven different winners from five different teams and two very competitive championship tables. It is being hailed in some quarters as the most unpredictable season in the history of the sport.

Valencia Street Circuit

Length of lap:
5.419km
Lap record
1:38.683 (Timo Glock
Toyota, 2009)

Start line/finish line offset
0.000km
Total number of race laps
57
Total race distance
308.883km
Pitlane speed limits
60km/h during practice, qualifying and race


CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2011


► Areas of artificial grass laid around several section of the circuit have been replaced with a more durable product for 2012. This follows problems in 2011, with the synthetic turf becoming detached from the surface to which it was glued.

European GP
Fast Facts
► The four European Grands Prix in Valencia have produced three winners: Felipe Massa won the inaugural race in 2008 for Ferrari, followed by Brawn’s Rubens Barrichello in 2009. The 2010 and 2011 events were won by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing. Vettel is both the first driver to win this race and go on to become World Champion that season, and also the first reigning Champion to win here.
► This race has been won from pole position three times. The only exception being Barrichello’s victory in 2009 in which the Brazilian triumphed from third on the grid.
► Vettel and Lewis Hamilton are the only drivers to have been on the podium more than once. Vettel’s two victories are his only visits while Hamilton, never having won the race, finished in second place the first three times the race was run.
► Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are the only two drivers to finish in the points every time F1 has raced in Valencia.
► The Valencia Street Circuit has more corners than any other current F1 circuit, though some are corners only in name. However, the combination of long straights and ten turns taken in third gear or lower puts a heavy load on braking systems. Together with expected high ambient temperatures this creates issues for brake cooling.
► Unusually, this is F1’s first visit to the city of Valencia this year. The city’s permanent race track, the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, is a popular testing venue and has been used every year between 2000-2011. Its very smooth surface provides a direct contrast to the abrasive Jerez. In the modern era of limited winter testing it held one of the four tests each year between 2009-2011 but lost out when only three winter tests were held in 2012.
► Five circuits in three countries have held the modern incarnation of the European Grand Prix. The first of 21 runnings was held at Brands Hatch in 1983. Brands held the race again in 1985. The other British track to host the race is Donington Park (1993). The race was run 12 times at the Nürburgring between 1984-2007 before moving to Valencia for 2008. It also took place on Spanish soil in 1994 and 1997, when it was held at Jerez.
► Before the modern incarnation, the title ‘European Grand Prix’ was an honorific, grafted onto other races. In the Formula One era this practice (with exceptions in 1953, 1969, 1970 and 1971) was used between 1950 and 1977. The first winner of the European Grand Prix was Nino Farina, at Silverstone in 1950, the final winner was James Hunt, also at Silverstone, in 1977.
► The title was also used as an honorific before the creation of the F1 World Championship. The first European Grand Prix is recorded as being the 1923 Italian Grand Prix held at Monza. It was won by Carlo Salamano, driving for Fiat.

Race Stewards
Biographies
GARRY CONNELLY
DEPUTY PRESIDENT, FIA INSTITUTE; DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MOTOR SPORT SAFETY; F1 AND WTCC STEWARD; FIA WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL MEMBER
Garry Connelly has been involved in motor sport since the late 1960s. A long-time rally competitor, Connelly was instrumental in bringing the World Rally Championship to Australia in 1988 and served as Chairman of the Organising Committee, Board member and Clerk of Course of Rally Australia until December 2002. He has been an FIA Steward and FIA Observer since 1989, covering the FIA’s World Rally Championship, World Touring Car Championship and Formula One Championship. He is a director of the Australian Institute of Motor Sport Safety and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

PAOLO LONGONI
MEMBER OF THE ITALIAN MOTOR SPORT COMMISSION (CSAI); THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF MILAN
Paolo Longoni is a steward with more than 20 years’ experience. Milanese Longoni began his stewards’ training at his home circuit – Monza – in 1990 and was immediately ‘bitten by the bug’ of motorsport. While his early stewarding experience was based largely at Monza, since 2006 Longoni has been a national steward, officiating at rounds of the Porsche Supercup, Ferrari Challenge Championship, FIA Historic Championship, ETCC, WTCC, Formula Two and Le Mans Series events.


MIKA SALO
FORMER F1 DRIVER, ALMS GT CHAMPION AND TWICE LE MANS GT2 CLASS-WINNER
In a racing career now into its third decade Mika Salo competed in over one hundred grands prix between 1994-2002. After junior success in Britain and Japan, Salo made his Formula One debut driving for Lotus at the last two rounds of the 1994 season. Over the next eight years the Finn drove for Tyrrell, Arrows, BAR, Ferrari, Sauber and Toyota. He twice finished on the podium for Ferrari and scored points for Toyota in the Japanese manufacturer’s debut race. Post-F1, Salo has competed predominantly in sports cars, most notably racing in GT classes. He has GT2 victories at both Le Mans and Sebring, and in 2007 won the GT class in ALMS. He has also tried his hand in CART and Australian V8s. Mika is still a familiar face in the F1 paddock, working extensively as a presenter for Finnish TV.

I would bother putting a weather forecast up but it's going to be Sunny so not much point

Source: Fia.com

[SteveG]

Alonso was brilliant. His move after the safety car is what cemented this victory.

However also have to give a shout to Ferrari because they have good race pace in all temperatures - unlike Mclaren.

[harryspiv]

Alonso was superb today,.

As for Hamilton, I think it will go down as a racing incident, as Hamilton forced Maldonado off the track and gave him no room at all.

Maldonado just went down alot in my estimation, he stated that Hamilton forced him off the track...something Maldonado was doing all race and so he runs up the inside and T-bones him. He should be penalised heavily, no point and a big grid penalty for the next race.

[Guest]

Alonso was brilliant but was very lucky with the McLaren pitstop foul up and the safety car. Must add Verge is shocking and if he thinks he's driving for Red Bull next season then he's delusional.Maldonando is arrogant completely pointing the finger at Lewis and saying Lewis was dangerous and over-aggressive.......

Schumacher under investigation for using DRS under yellow conditions.

[monty junior]

Hope Schumacher doesn't lose his podium, was nice to see him up there.

What a throwback to 2005/2006 when the best three drivers were on the podium today.

[SteveG]

Hope Schumacher doesn't lose his podium, was nice to see him up there.

What a throwback to 2005/2006 when the best three drivers were on the podium today.

Yeah it was like watching a DVD lol.

[Bull]

Great Drive by Alonso¬!!!

Well done Ferrari!

Good race Well done to Shumi as well great to see him back up there
and Kimi

Unlucky Hamilton again , they need sort the pit crew.

[monty junior]

I like Button but his cliche lines are really wearing thin, he has been completely hopeless for four races now. What is up with him? i mean his qualifying in particular has been way off, but for Maldonado's late crashes he would be behind him in the championship

[Guest]

they need sort the pit crew.

Watching that McLaren pitstop is embarrasing. Eddie Jordan, ''It cost Lewis the race win in my opinion and it cost him points in Malaysia, Bahrain, Barcelona and it was only luckily in Canada that the mistake there did not cost him again''.

How many times can we say 'they need to sort it out'. It's clearly not being sorted out and the management should be held accountable for failing to improve the performance of the crew. How can Hamilton challenge for a title with an inferior car in these conditions and a pit crew who are amateurish and clearly inept race after race. It's a losing battle.

Button cannot win the title this season which is pretty obvious. Alonso drove superbly, however he was given two huge gifts, one from McLaren and the other from Jean Eric Vergne for bringing out the safety car. The Red Bull is the superior car and Alonso's team backing and sheer consistancy will eventually lead to Alonso & Vettel challenging for the title in my opinion.

Maldonado was clearly behind the white lines of the track and then just drove and t-boned into Hamilton. How he can claim Hamilton was dangerous is unbelievable. Maldonado is a hot head and we've seen this before in Spa & Monaco where he just drove straight into Perez in disgraceful fashion.

[SteveG]

Once again Hamis problems started with the pit stop. Had his task been to manage the gap to Alonso instead of pushing to make up lost places his tyres may have lasted. He wouldnt have been anywhere near the Venezuelan lunatic and with Vettel/Groj retiring even won the race.

As I'm typing this Groj is being interviewed and is smiling and chuckling about his car stopping on track. Please give me some of his happy pills.

[monty junior]

I think Grosjean just appreciates the priveliged position he is in in life. He is paid millions to drive the most technially advanced cars on earth and will have a very cushty lifestyle providing he keeps his current standard up. Maybe some of the spoilt brats in F1 could take note, especially from the top teams.

[Guest]

According to Ted, Romain had an aero upgrade package for Valencia and Kimi did not....interesting. These stewards decisions are taking an age, regardless of the outcome, Hamilton's weekend has been shocking. Further news from Ted on twitter feeds is that Whitmarsh has labelled Hamilton 'wreckless' and not defended his driver's actions......can people confirm this? If true, this is simply unbelievable words coming from Whitmarsh, especially after how embarrasingly the team have performed for their driver. Surely the end for Lewis & McLaren's relationship in F1???

[Alessandro Ciambella]

Bonjourno!

Just when you start to think Lewis Hamilton may have come of age he comes back with a vengeance to show old habits die hard.

Last GP at Canada, Fernando Alonso took a gamble on his tyres and ultimately failed. He accepted his faliure, but rather than loosing time he just let the cars pass him, knowing he would loose more time and positions and possibly DNF in the process. Like Professor Prost, Fernando knew points mean more prizes.

Fast forward to Valencia and Hamilton is in exactly the same situation. Rather than let Pastor go around him he decided that it would be more benificial to fight with him and risk his 3rd place for everything. I don't care what anybody says, Pastor would have overtaken him. Hamiltons tyres were shot. Pastor did not ram Hamilton, in fact Hamilton should of left Pastor a car width on the track.

Remember Hamilton & Rosberg at Bahrain? Everybody was bleating but Rosberg was in the right because the left a cars width before slamming the door. Hamilton pushed Pastor off and ultimately cost them both WDC points. Pastor was turning into the corner and not Hamilton and I believe he is innocent.

Why couldn't Hamilton just take a leaf from Alonsos book today and drive with maturity. He has let his fans down and I hope they don't react angrily to Pastor.

And for a driver that has never been overtaken round the outside, Roman Grosjean sure dispelled that myth today with a stunning Hamilton over take... Round the outside!

Valencia GP 10/10 for entertainment today.

Forza Alonso!

[Guest]

Without the safety car the race was shocking and without it and the foul up by McLaren, Alonso would not have won. I do agree to an extent, Lewis should have recognised his tyres were gone, however there was only two laps left and it a tight street circuit which is advantageous for a defender instead of an attacker compared to on open race circuits. Pastor rammed Hamilton and that is fact. He came from outside the boundaries of the track and t-boned Hamilton.

We all know Alonso is a great driver but without luck today he would never have been close to winning. I still think Vettel is the main threat to Alonso as McLaren are simply dreadful in these conditions and the team is in disarray.

20 second penalty for Maldonado too leniant?

[harryspiv]

20 second penalty for Maldonado too leniant?

He has without doubt cost a fellow driver numerous championship points with an idiotic move from off the track, he has only lost 1 point himself so yes its stupidly lenient.

[nathan]

Bonjourno!

Just when you start to think Lewis Hamilton may have come of age he comes back with a vengeance to show old habits die hard.

Last GP at Canada, Fernando Alonso took a gamble on his tyres and ultimately failed. He accepted his faliure, but rather than loosing time he just let the cars pass him, knowing he would loose more time and positions and possibly DNF in the process. Like Professor Prost, Fernando knew points mean more prizes.

Fast forward to Valencia and Hamilton is in exactly the same situation. Rather than let Pastor go around him he decided that it would be more benificial to fight with him and risk his 3rd place for everything. I don't care what anybody says, Pastor would have overtaken him. Hamiltons tyres were shot. Pastor did not ram Hamilton, in fact Hamilton should of left Pastor a car width on the track.

Remember Hamilton & Rosberg at Bahrain? Everybody was bleating but Rosberg was in the right because the left a cars width before slamming the door. Hamilton pushed Pastor off and ultimately cost them both WDC points. Pastor was turning into the corner and not Hamilton and I believe he is innocent.

Why couldn't Hamilton just take a leaf from Alonsos book today and drive with maturity. He has let his fans down and I hope they don't react angrily to Pastor.

And for a driver that has never been overtaken round the outside, Roman Grosjean sure dispelled that myth today with a stunning Hamilton over take... Round the outside!

Valencia GP 10/10 for entertainment today.

Forza Alonso!

I'm sorry, but i watch F1 for racing. I don't want to see ANY driver just let someone past, even if there in the same team. It's not what i pay to see.

"Paster did not ram him" Really? are you sure? becuase i think your talking out of your behind and i think the stewards just agree'd with me.

[Alessandro Ciambella]

Look at the steering angle on Pastors car when impact occurs. Why would he ram Hamilton? If he got back in the track he would of caught Hamilton as his tyres had gone. A podium was there for him.

I can admit that Pastor seemed to try and do it all in one corner, do or die stuff. But because he was side by side with Hamilton, I thought Lewis had to leave a car width.

For me on reflection now, racing incident. No penalty to either driver.

[SteveG]

AC - Yes Hamilton probably should have let Mal drive on by - I said something similar in an earlier comment but only in light of the crash that woudn't have happened had he done so. But unlike Alonso and Vettel in Canada the finish line was agonisingly close on a much tighter track so the temptation to fight was far greater. He may have been fighting a losing battle but I'd certainly have Hamilton in the racing trenches with me anyday.

Alongside an elusive operating window the 'cliff' is one of the biggest problem with these tyres. Yes they are crumbly but the 'drop off' happens without warning - like a puncture and so does not really fall into the tyre management category. And do we really want to see drivers rolling out the red carpet because they've hit the cliff? Track positiion is everything that is raced for and surely has to be earned. Pirelli really do need to smooth this cliff into a slope that can at least be managed.

As for overtaking on the outside - I'm sure any comments by Hamilton were made long before a tyre lottery replaced the racing.

[Dave.]

Person of the day must surely be David Coulthard's cameraman?

[SteveG]

One thing that hasnt been touched on so far is Vettels pace. Forgetting his retirement for a moment this was as dominant a display as anything seen last year. The overhead shots showing him pulling away from Hamilton at the start were frightning. The traction at the exit of every corner was awsome and he built up a 3 second lead in no time. Whatever it is they've stuck on that car has worked. During the race I even jokingly questioned whether his car was legal such was the gap - a total pit stop at one point. How could he go so fast for so long on this years tyres ?? Rediculous.

I pray Mclaren have updates at Silverstone to match because that was just plain crazy and the last thing we need is a return to last year.

[Fernando]

One thing that hasnt been touched on so far is Vettels pace. Forgetting his retirement for a moment this was as dominant a display as anything seen last year. The overhead shots showing him pulling away from Hamilton at the start were frightning. The traction at the exit of every corner was awsome and he built up a 3 second lead in no time. Whatever it is they've stuck on that car has worked. During the race I even jokingly questioned whether his car was legal such was the gap - a total pit stop at one point. How could he go so fast for so long on this years tyres ?? Rediculous.

I pray Mclaren have updates at Silverstone to match because that was just plain crazy and the last thing we need is a return to last year.

Double Floor gives more downforce Although a journalist thought it sounds like they had a type of off throttle diffuser on it again.....

[SteveG]

Well that would explain the traction and his ability to leave the rest of the field standing so quickly. Have they invented some sort of clever blown diffuser emulation? If so and the other teams don't follow suit immediately then all bets are off.

[Fernando]

As Sebastian Vettel sped well clear of the otherwise tightly-bunched Valencia field in qualifying, the latest rumblings about the legality of his 2012 Red Bull began to grow louder.

A new Adrian Newey-penned floor has debuted on the RB8 this weekend, which according to some sources produces a kind of 'double diffuser' effect.

And veteran photographer Darren Heath said he heard from his regular trackside vantage point in practice "what sounds like off-throttle blowing" coming from German Vettel's car.

Germany's Bild newspaper said the situation could lead to F1's "next protest threat against Red Bull".

Briton Hamilton is quoted by the newspaper as saying: "You only have to look at his car to know where the big gap comes from."

[SteveG]

Cheers for that bit of info Fernando. Yep this weekend Red Bull have gone from simply mixing it with the leaders to total domination in the race. Its legality has to be suspect.

[Critical_mass]

just thought id add my opinion here.

I agree with Nathan, no racing driver should just let another through, if it was his team mate, maybe the team would decide to let lewis give us his position to jenson. but they were racing for position and although highly likely pastor would get passed lewis it wasnt a certainty... anything can happen.

Also, seen Pastor was so much faster he didnt have to make a stupid lunge there was straight he would have easily passed lewis on.

I believe the car width rule is mainly for straights, but hussling in corners its allowed and always happens where the defending drive pushes the attacking car off the track... it happens its accepted we all know this. Besides even if lewis was still in the race, pastor went off the track to pass - all 4 wheels. how many of the hamilton haters would have mentioned that, not many im sure. He should/would have given the place back.

Still, it did happen. I dont think it was intentional. As Chandhok said, the height of the kerb meant he lost steering and went straight on, hitting lewis, this wouldnt have put lewis out of the race. Lewis' rear wheel hitting Pastors front is what caused lewis to go out of the race.

i've not read up on what the outcome of this is, but i expect pastor to get a grid penalty.

The rest of the race -

Alonso did fantastic to go from 11th to win, albeit with a bit of luck. But a little bit of luck is part of the game. Kind of hapyp to see Schumacher on the podium, again due to a bit of luck but im sure it'll give him the motivation. Where has Mercs performance gone though?

Jenson - appalling, nothing more.
Massa - as above

Grosjean - this man is looking very talented and it was a real shame he went out. he needs some of that luck i spoke about

kimi - very good race. grosjean and kimi are looking like a great pairing and if im honest i wouldnt want them to replace one of the with kubica.

[Fernando]

i've not read up on what the outcome of this is, but i expect pastor to get a grid penalty.

He got a 20 sec pen which demoted him to 12th giving Bruno Senna 1pt

[SteveG]

A bit of a token gesture considering he only bagged one point. His real punishment was losing his front wing.

[dyrewolfe]

Well, that was an interesting one. The race thats usually billed as the most boring of the season turned out to be the most eventful so far...with a little help.

First and foremost, have to feel sorry for both Vettel and Grosjean. As punters we were denied an intriguing battle for the win and the drivers/teams were denied precious points. At least both teams had the consolation of Webber and Kimi picking up points...a particularly good drive from Mark, considering where he started.

A good weekend also for Mercedes, as they got to celebrate Schumi's first podium since his comeback and Rosberg was again in the points.

Shame the same couldn't be said for McLaren. At the risk of sounding like John, they are rapidly becoming a shambles this season. AGAIN they managed to mess up Lewis' pit stop and cost him places. I can't recall another season where one team has had so many problems with their pit crew. Despite that Hammy drove a good race and was on course for some useful points until his coming together with Maldonado.

Can't really decide on this one…on the one hand Pastor did ram Lewis into the wall while coming back onto the track...but on the other I feel Lewis should have had the common sense to realise he didn't have the tyres to fight off the Williams and settled for 4th. More mistakes on McLaren's part for not getting his race strategy right. God only knows whats wrong with Button at the moment…yet another poor quali performance and another race spent mostly in the midfield, going nowhere and only advancing when cars in front of him dropped out. I think the most worrying thing is that neither Jenson or the team seem to have any idea of the cause of his problems.

Decent race for Force India. Probably not as good as they were hoping for but both cars finished in the points, which is better than some of the bigger teams managed.

On to Ferrari and my vote for drive of the day (and this is a first for me)...bravo Fernando Alonso! Considering where he qualified, he did brilliantly, getting off to an absolute flier of a start and making up a handful of places in the opening laps, he may have been outpaced by Vettel and Grosjean, but he hung in there and got his due reward when they bowed out.

As a McLaren fan though, I hope I don't have to say that very often this season.

[Fernando]

anyone find it ironic that Mclaren broke the pitstop record at Valencia with 2 stops under 3 seconds one for each driver Hamilton 2.63/Button 2.96

Just need to work on the consistency now

[Critical_mass]

personally i think Lewis did right. So what his tyres were shot, he's a pure racer and never gave up. It was maldanado who should have bide his time more wisely and waited until a straight to pass lewis.

lewis did well to push pastor wide and pastor should have cut the corner, given the place back and as above, waited until the next straight.

sod vettel, i did feel for him a little until his accusations towards the FIA. Its Grosjean i feel sorry for, he has a damn good car and has turned into a good race he deserved the win, at the very least a 2nd place.

Though as we're heading towards the british GP, i expect Mclaren to take the front as the conditions will be cooler which the mclaren seems to thrive in.

[dyrewolfe]

personally i think Lewis did right. So what his tyres were shot, he's a pure racer and never gave up. It was maldanado who should have bide his time more wisely and waited until a straight to pass lewis.

lewis did well to push pastor wide and pastor should have cut the corner, given the place back and as above, waited until the next straight.

Look at it this way, if Lewis had let Pastor go there was a very good chance he'd have picked up 10 points (or whatever it is for 4th place). As it stands he picked up none. Which sounds the smarter option to you?

Its all very well saying he's a racer, but where is the logic in trying to fight for position when your tyres are so shot you can barely keep your car on track? Lewis has of late demonstrated more maturity and the intelligence to play the long game. Its just a pity he didn't do so this time.

[dyrewolfe]

sod vettel, i did feel for him a little until his accusations towards the FIA. Its Grosjean i feel sorry for, he has a damn good car and has turned into a good race he deserved the win, at the very least a 2nd place.

Though as we're heading towards the british GP, i expect Mclaren to take the front as the conditions will be cooler which the mclaren seems to thrive in.

What accusations? The only articles I've been able to find quote Vettel as saying his alternator failure may have had something to do with the safety car and the number of laps they had to spend behind it. I've not seen anything where he says it was an FIA conspiracy.

As for Silverstone - don't forget Ferrari will likely be in the frame for that. Much will depend on whether McLaren can improve on their qualifying.

[Critical_mass]

EDIT - my bad i misread the article you posted. I took it as Vettel accusing the FIA, not Marko

[SteveG]

Looking at Red Bulls pace with their new floor I fear for Mclaren. I would go as far as to say that Melbourne/Canada aside they have often had - on average - and on race pace - the FOURTH fastest car (behind RB, Ferrari and Lotus). What's kept them in the game is their one lap pace and Lewis Hamilton.

Because of Red Bulls upgrades for me Silverstone is crucial. Cooler temperatures and (expected but don't hold your breath) big Mclaren upgrades will give a big indication as to whether this season continues to be a closely fought battle or descends into another Red Bull runaway farce.

[Critical_mass]

personally i think Lewis did right. So what his tyres were shot, he's a pure racer and never gave up. It was maldanado who should have bide his time more wisely and waited until a straight to pass lewis.

lewis did well to push pastor wide and pastor should have cut the corner, given the place back and as above, waited until the next straight.

Look at it this way, if Lewis had let Pastor go there was a very good chance he'd have picked up 10 points (or whatever it is for 4th place). As it stands he picked up none. Which sounds the smarter option to you?

Its all very well saying he's a racer, but where is the logic in trying to fight for position when your tyres are so shot you can barely keep your car on track? Lewis has of late demonstrated more maturity and the intelligence to play the long game. Its just a pity he didn't do so this time.

Hindsight is a marvelous thing though isnt it. He wasnt to know he would get taken out of the race. Plus it was a crazy move on Lewis, there were better places to do it. No doubt on the next straight lewis either would have been passed easily or just let him go, Pastor simply had to wait until the next straight.

[SteveG]

I woudn't even say the next straight. Hamis tyres were off the cliff. All Mal had to do was wait for Hami to run wide at any of the many corners and dive up the inside. Job done.

[Guest]

Looking at Red Bulls pace with their new floor I fear for Mclaren. What's kept them in the game is their one lap pace and Lewis Hamilton.

Exactly......which is very worrying

[GSC]

Maldonado wouldn't have seen Lewis' fumes had McLaren not bodged his pit stop.

[Belgarion of Riva]

Maldonado is an imbecile. It's not the first time he's done something like this and won't be the last time.

Alessandro as well has his biased viewpoint. In Canada, Alonso forced Hamilton onto the marbles and was backing him up in the corners in a bid to prevent him from overtaking. Hamilton had to wait to use the DRS to sail past. Alonso didn't defend when the Lotus or Sauber overtook him though.

What Maldonado did was stupid and he has previous for doing similar stupid things. Vergne got punished for less in my opinion.

The pay driver is an accident waiting to happen

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