Brazilian GP Thread - Sponsored by EnglishSummerTimeWeather.co.uk

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

São Paulo welcomes Formula One as the teams assemble at Interlagos for the 20th and final round of the 2012 F1 World Championship. The Brazilian Grand Prix has been the scene of much drama since it moved from the beginning to the end of the F1 season and it has the opportunity to be so again as Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso go head-to-head around the famous Autódromo José Carlos Pace, each seeking to become a three-times World Champion.

Interlagos has never struggled to provide entertainment. The roller-coaster configuration provides several excellent overtaking prospects, while the off-camber corners and uphill/downhill braking zones provide ample opportunities for error. The weather often plays a part and the safety car has seen action frequently in recent years. In short, it is the perfect venue for a championship showdown.

Cut into a hillside, the circuit is a natural amphitheatre, providing the huge and usually raucous crowd with superb views of the action as the circuit drops from the heights of the start-finish straight down to the Descida do Lago section at Turns Four and Five. It then winds back and forth across the bowl before reaching the Junção corner followed by the long full-throttle ascent back to the line.

Red Bull Racing wrapped up the Constructors’ Championship last weekend in Austin at the United States Grand Prix, leaving the field clear for the Drivers’ Championship to be the sole focus of attention in Brazil. Going to Interlagos, Sebastian Vettel leads Fernando Alonso by 13 points. With a superior win record in 2012, Vettel will take the title if the pair finish tied on points – meaning Vettel can afford to finish fourth and be guaranteed his third World Championship in three years with the 12 points that brings. Vettel has been on the podium for the last six races but will take nothing for granted. Interlagos tends to be rather more capricious than other circuits

CIRCUIT DATA


AUTÓDROMO JOSÉ CARLOS PACE (INTERLAGOS)



Length of lap:

4.309km

Lap record:

1:11.473 (Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams, 2004)

Start line/finish line offset:
0.030km

Total number of race laps:
71
Total race distance:

305.9km
Pitlane speed limits:
60km/h during practice and qualifying,

100km/h during the race



CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2011
► New debris fences have been installed on both sides of the track between turns 3 and 4.
► A kerb has been installed on the apex of turn 15.
► Tube inserts have been placed in the tyre barrier on the end of the wall at the pit entry.

► Five Brazilian drivers have won their home grand prix: Emerson Fittipaldi (1973-74), Carlos Pace (1975), Nelson Piquet (1983, 1986), Ayrton Senna (1991, 1993), and Felipe Massa (2006, 2008).
► Alain Prost is the most successful driver in the history of the race with six victories (1982, 1984-85, 1987-88, 1990). Among the current field Michael Schumacher (1994-95, 2000, 2002), Massa and Mark Webber (2009, 2011) are multiple winners. Kimi Räikkönen (2007) and Sebastian Vettel (2010) have also won here.
► Sunday’s race will see the second retirement of Michael Schumacher. The seven-times World Champion first retired from Formula One after the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix of 2006.
► The 4.3km Interlagos layout has held the F1 Brazilian GP since 1990. Prior to this the race was held in Rio de Janeiro at Jacarepaguá (1978,1981-89) and on the longer 8km Interlagos layout (1973-77, 1979-80). The only drivers to win in both cities are Prost and Carlos Reutemann.
► The shorter Interlagos circuit features many sections carried over from its predecessor. The back straight (Reta Oposta) formerly ran in the opposite direction. It is parallel to the original back straight, still in evidence behind the spectator viewing areas.
► Altitude is a factor at Interlagos: the circuit is 800m above sea-level. Cars require more wing for a given level of downforce than they would at sea-level; however the thinner air does mean a corresponding reduction in drag. For engines, the reduced amount of available oxygen leads to a decrease in power.
► 2008 saw perhaps the most thrilling championship climax of all time with the title not decided until half a minute after the winner had crossed the line. In gloomy conditions Felipe Massa won the race for Ferrari leaving, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton the task of finishing fifth. With rain falling he was running only sixth into the last sector of the final lap. Hamilton passed the Toyota of Timo Glock in the final seconds of the race and beat Massa by a solitary point.
► That has not been Interlagos’ only moment of drama. Between 2005-2010 the Brazilian Grand Prix played a significant part in every Drivers’ Championship battle. 2005 saw Fernando Alonso finish third to clinch the title with two races remaining. Alonso triumphed again the following year in a season-ending showdown with Michael Schumacher. The 2007 race was again a season finale and saw the outsider Kimi Räikkönen crowned after winning the grand prix, finishing the season one point ahead of both Alonso and Hamilton. In 2009 Jenson Button clinched the title at Interlagos with one race to spare and in 2010 Sebastian Vettel went into the race fourth in the standings but won to pull himself back into championship contention going to the final round in Abu Dhabi, where he duly won his first title.

Weather Forecast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/3448439

Source:FIA

[Dave.]

Congratulations Vettel. Well deserved title. What a race!

[bogbrush]

Yes!

So much forVettels luck, he gets clobbered and does it!

I suppose we'll be hearing about how he was lucky not to be trashed and not unlucky to be hit.

Schumi moved out the way, Alonso was in no way lucky 2nd and 3rd collided etc.

Gave him 2 positions & Vettel 1. That sounds good to me.

[Critical_mass]

Drive through for hulkenberg, but nothing about vettel. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The drive through benefitted Alonso but not Vettel.

So?

My argument is Vettel hasnt been penalised on two seperate occasions. AND the last safety car means the pack would be bunched up and vettel would prob drop out of the position he needs to claim the WDC.




Well thats it, vettel is WDC.

[banbrotam]

Er, for those not watching - Vettel went into Senna in a move as reckless as Hulkenburg's on Hamilton

If this had been Alonso - we'd never have heard the end of it

[GSC]

/sarcasm.

Vettel just edged this championship in the last couple of months. Couple of very good races to finish it off. Esp coming back to grab 6th in a damaged car in alternating dry/wet and a bad tyre decision.

[Fernando]

Be interested to see if Ferrari has anything to say about the yellow flag incident they can appeal the race

[GSC]

Deserved win for Button I felt, he and Hulkenburg got strategy spot on and first SC really hurt them. Miles up the road from 3rd.

[bogbrush]

Oh if Ferrari can think of it,they'll do it. They were using Massa as some kind of attack dog through the race so why not?

Contrast to how Webber was trying to pass Vettel after the restart!

[beninho]

Good race. Well done vetell. Deserved the title in the end. The upgrades worked at the right time for red bull. Unlucky Fernando and Ferrari a great season. Vetell clearly at fault With first lap crash though.

Don't like the fact you can change the engines from the pit lane. As just mentioned by Newey.cchanged the engine mapping to decrease the impact of the crash.

[dyrewolfe]

Well, what a race...a fitting curtain closer to the season.

Absolutely breathless for the first 30 or so laps...difficult to keep track of what was going on.

At one point it looked as though the miracle could be on with Vettel getting hit and spun by Senna soon after the start. Have to give props to the guy for fighting his way back into the points and getting the finish he needed.

Both Ferraris got a good start as anticipated and did pretty much what they were expected to do. Well done to both Massa and Alonso for giving it everything. Never thought I'd say this, but I felt genuinely sorry for Fernando. There was a camera close up shortly after the finish which caught him staring forlornly into the distance, which showed you exactly how gutted he was at coming so close.

Congrats to Jenson for driving a good race and getting a derserved win. Once again absolutely gutted for Lewis - yet again taken out of a race while in a good position. That said, I don't blame Hulkenberg and thought the drive-through penalty was harsh. He had the line going into the corner but just lost control and skidded. He was a passenger when he collided with Hamilton. Just a really unlucky racing incident IMO.

Lets hope Lewis has better luck at Mercedes...couldn't be much worse, lets face it.

Glad Hulk managed a decent points finish after leading the race and looking great for so much of it. Also glad Schumacher managed to finish a familiar 7th, picking up points in his last-ever race.

Great result for Vergne, finishing 8th for Toro Rosso.

Overall, the conditions made for an amazing spectacle, with skids, spins and bumps all over the place...even got to see Kimi doing some rally driving again!

In the end, given how the race panned out, I can't really begrudge Vettel his 3rd title in a row. Red Bull gave him the tools...eventually and he did enough to put himself in the frame.

Feel Nando would have made a more worthy champion, given the car he's had this season and the results he's got, but well done to Seb, Horner and the whole RB team.

[bogbrush]

I too feel sorry for Alonso, he played a great game.

It'll be interesting next year.

[SteveG]

Congrats to Vettel - earned his points today - although ignoring yellow flags could've cost him and the gods were smiling on him when he spun (I thought he was out). Still think Alonso was more deserving of the title. In the end nobody could have done more in this years Ferrari. A class act.

A sad end to Hamiltons race. Once again he DNFs whilst the other guy drives off. And then to round things off Button - who was being dropped (but admittedly was unlucky with the safety car) inherits the lead and takes the win. Seb - can Lewis have some of your lady luck?

[bogbrush]

I think too much is made of Vettels luck; he paid his dues with alternator problems that cost him a lot of points (as did Alonso with his big crashes). As for today, well he did well to go 180 and stay reversing straight, which played a big part in avoiding a crash.
If Hamilton didn't have bad luck he wouldn't have any.

The yellow was bizarre, with the green just before it. Why it went Y, Y, G, Y was unfathomable.

Incidentally, what was Webber doing squeezing Vettel on the start and trying to pass after the safety car restart? Not exactly the same service Massa provided.

[beninho]

Great result for petrov. Worth a lot of money that performance...

Still confused with the vetell and the lights thing. So many different views.

[banbrotam]

with Vettel getting hit and spun by Senna soon after the start.

Why do people keep saying this (mind you your're in good company as the Beeb F1 scribe joins you!!)

Vettlel clearly turned into Senna, who had racing line. A very lucky boy, not to get a penalty

But he deserves it after the way he fought back so well done to him

[Critical_mass]

Yeah a penalty he should have got along with passing under the yellows.. did i mention he didnt get a penalty for that?

[bogbrush]

Yeah a penalty he should have got along with passing under the yellows.. did i mention he didnt get a penalty for that?

Even Ferrari know that's balls.

[Fernando]

He didn't pass under yellows was red/yellows which means an slippery/oily track be careful

[Critical_mass]

They showed yellow flags and hte flashing yellow screens, you could see them!

The striped flag was below a yellow flag.

[Critical_mass]

Yeah a penalty he should have got along with passing under the yellows.. did i mention he didnt get a penalty for that?

Even Ferrari know that's balls.

Go watch the replay and tell me its balls. Yellows were clearly seen.

[Fernando]

Yeah a penalty he should have got along with passing under the yellows.. did i mention he didnt get a penalty for that?

Even Ferrari know that's balls.

Go watch the replay and tell me its balls. Yellows were clearly seen.

You mean like this aswell.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm_6c_PWi7E

How do the yellow flag areas actually work do you have to be in that area or is it if you can see them?

[bogbrush]

The Green flag was flashing as he initiated the manoeuvre. God knows why it was there, but it was.

[Critical_mass]

Is that a vid of another pass by vettel under yellows?

The one im referring to was into the last corner. Vettel was following Kobayashi into Bico De Pato (turn 10) where there was the red and yellow striped flag and above it was the yellow flag.

As they both went down into Juncao (turn 12) again Yellow flashing screens and as Vettel pass Kob out of turn 12 another yellow screen.

Bogbrush - where was the green flag you speak of in relation to the other flags. Was it before turn 10? or before turn 12?

Unless of course a yellow flag accompanied with a red/yellow striped flag means just caution ahead and overtaking still allowed - someone confirm that?

[Guest]

Hamilton DNF'ing while leading another race was a fitting way to end his McLaren career. Shocking season with at least 150 points blown away. I don't see how Button's win was deserved ahead of Hulkenberg and this constant bullcrank about him being a wet weather god is really annoying. He wins wet races because all he does is profits from other drivers collisions and then grabs the gifts and makes it out as if he's driven brilliantly.

Absolutely pointless debate regarding Vettel, he's won and he's the three time world champion. He is the luckiest driver around and everyone knows he gets away with murder when it comes to the stewards. If only McLaren could learn to build a tank of a car then Hamilton might actually survive some of these collisions and go onto win races and championships. Flimsy McLarens crumble under any contact

Alonso was superb, deserved the title but this is F1. Roll on unveiling cars, testing and australia.

[GSC]

Either Hulkenburg or Button would've been a deserved winner tbh. Those 2 were miles down the road pre safety car.

[dyrewolfe]

with Vettel getting hit and spun by Senna soon after the start.

Why do people keep saying this (mind you your're in good company as the Beeb F1 scribe joins you!!)

Vettlel clearly turned into Senna, who had racing line. A very lucky boy, not to get a penalty

But he deserves it after the way he fought back so well done to him

Er, no. I called it as I saw it. If people "keep saying it" thats probably because its true. You seem to be in a minority that thinks otherwise.

[bogbrush]

Hamilton DNF'ing while leading another race was a fitting way to end his McLaren career. Shocking season with at least 150 points blown away. I don't see how Button's win was deserved ahead of Hulkenberg and this constant bullcrank about him being a wet weather god is really annoying. He wins wet races because all he does is profits from other drivers collisions and then grabs the gifts and makes it out as if he's driven brilliantly.

Absolutely pointless debate regarding Vettel, he's won and he's the three time world champion. He is the luckiest driver around and everyone knows he gets away with murder when it comes to the stewards. If only McLaren could learn to build a tank of a car then Hamilton might actually survive some of these collisions and go onto win races and championships. Flimsy McLarens crumble under any contact

Alonso was superb, deserved the title but this is F1. Roll on unveiling cars, testing and australia.

"Luckiest driver"......... "Everyone knows".... "A tank"...... "Alonso deserves"

Oh come on, this is so old.

[Critical_mass]

Vettel benefitted from the safety car in Abu Dhabi and people still call it a magnificent drive.

Lewis benefitted from the safety car, if he had won then. Yes sure he would have benefitted from the safety car but i bet people would still be knocking him for it.

People benefit from the safety car all the time, its no biggie. I think Hulkenberg would have been a worthier winner than button. Once Lewis got back passed Button, Button was falling back from Lewis chasing Hulkenberg.

[GSC]

Hamilton DNF'ing while leading another race was a fitting way to end his McLaren career. Shocking season with at least 150 points blown away. I don't see how Button's win was deserved ahead of Hulkenberg and this constant bullcrank about him being a wet weather god is really annoying. He wins wet races because all he does is profits from other drivers collisions and then grabs the gifts and makes it out as if he's driven brilliantly.

Absolutely pointless debate regarding Vettel, he's won and he's the three time world champion. He is the luckiest driver around and everyone knows he gets away with murder when it comes to the stewards. If only McLaren could learn to build a tank of a car then Hamilton might actually survive some of these collisions and go onto win races and championships. Flimsy McLarens crumble under any contact

Alonso was superb, deserved the title but this is F1. Roll on unveiling cars, testing and australia.

"Luckiest driver"......... "Everyone knows".... "A tank"...... "Alonso deserves"

Oh come on, this is so old.

Come on, you know the drill. Hamilton drives flawlessly every week, while McLaren actively sabotage his car and not Jensons. Vettels lucky/boring/cant drive an inferior car etc. Not withstanding Alonsos had quite a bit go his way all season, and quite a lot in the last race (not looking remotely close to a podium then 1st/2nd collide?)

[beninho]

Poor old Ferrari. Praying for rain all week like snorkeling England cricket fan in the 90's. Then because of the rain it lessens the impact of the damage on the red bull after the crash@

[SteveG]

Vettel benefitted from the safety car in Abu Dhabi and people still call it a magnificent drive.

Looked good on paper but with a very fast car re-tuned for the race (still can't believe that was allowed) combined with modern F1s DRS zones (two of them) and performance spread between old and new tyres it was more like playstation. Hamiltons drive from the back to 7th in Spain was more impressive IMO.

[Critical_mass]

Vettel benefitted from the safety car in Abu Dhabi and people still call it a magnificent drive.

Looked good on paper but with a very fast car re-tuned for the race (still can't believe that was allowed) combined with modern F1s DRS zones (two of them) and performance spread between old and new tyres it was more like playstation. Hamiltons drive from the back to 7th in Spain was more impressive IMO.

Exactly. On top of that the likes of Torro Rosso moving well out of the way.

I disagree with both those things. Changing the engine or gearbox settings should not have been allowed. And the likes of RB having a 4 car team effectively in the race is wrong also.

[Mad for Chelsea]

5 car if you include Schumacher

[bogbrush]

Always amazes me how a driver who had a team mate crash for him, and who recently had another have his engine sabotaged to move him up, gets painted as the good guy of F1.
It's really bitter stuff, I think.

[GSC]

Always amazes me how a driver who had a team mate crash for him, and who recently had another have his engine sabotaged to move him up, gets painted as the good guy of F1.
It's really bitter stuff, I think.

Just wait until its Hamilton vs Alonso for a title, Alonso will be vilified on here.

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