Comments on: Fuji 2008: Hamilton Storms To Japanese Pole Position http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/ Your Regular Blog and Guide to Formula One Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:12:52 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ago http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68532 Ago Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:56:26 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68532 Don't want to "nail it" but it looks like my refueling estimations were pretty good. There were 3 groups of pilots and they refuled as I "predicted". KUB-ALS-RAI on lap 18 TRL on 22 (+4) VTL 24 BRD 25 (+3,+4) Only Hamilton and Massa are not quite what I expected because of the accident on lap 1 for Lewis. So I believe maybe Felipe changed his race strategy knowing -at that point- Lewis was way behind. The proof? 11s stop on lap 19 + next top on lap 54 (other pitted around 46 (Kubica) 48(Kimi) Don’t want to “nail it” but it looks like my refueling estimations were pretty good. There were 3 groups of pilots and they refuled as I “predicted”.
KUB-ALS-RAI on lap 18
TRL on 22 (+4)
VTL 24 BRD 25 (+3,+4)

Only Hamilton and Massa are not quite what I expected because of the accident on lap 1 for Lewis.
So I believe maybe Felipe changed his race strategy knowing -at that point- Lewis was way behind. The proof? 11s stop on lap 19 + next top on lap 54 (other pitted around 46 (Kubica) 48(Kimi)

]]> By: Gusto http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68509 Gusto Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:24:02 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68509 True ,shame they ended up like opposing magnets. When the 2007 season begun I thought to myself `Dont do a Micheal Andretti" who was dropped before the end of the season ( I thought the same for Jenson and what an opening lap that was at Aus,but the Monaco lifestyle got the better of him ), by race three I was putting money on him to win the WDC, and I thought to myself `Ye of little faith` whatever your `team` or whatever driver that you follow, there`s a Tiger Woods about him, or even a Senna......Lewis Versus Bruno.......Now were talking ;-) True ,shame they ended up like opposing magnets. When the 2007 season begun I thought to myself `Dont do a Micheal Andretti” who was dropped before the end of the season ( I thought the same for Jenson and what an opening lap that was at Aus,but the Monaco lifestyle got the better of him ), by race three I was putting money on him to win the WDC, and I thought to myself `Ye of little faith` whatever your `team` or whatever driver that you follow, there`s a Tiger Woods about him, or even a Senna……Lewis Versus Bruno…….Now were talking ;-)

]]> By: Oliver White http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68507 Oliver White Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:04:07 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68507 I'm not saying Alonso doesn't have outright pace with what I'm about to say, because he has, but I'm just covering my bases... <blockquote>he`s got the sensible head to avoid the potential crash-fest that could occur at turn 1 and capatilise.</blockquote> That quality helped him win two titles. Hamilton could have learned a lot from Alonso had they got along better. I’m not saying Alonso doesn’t have outright pace with what I’m about to say, because he has, but I’m just covering my bases…

he`s got the sensible head to avoid the potential crash-fest that could occur at turn 1 and capatilise.

That quality helped him win two titles. Hamilton could have learned a lot from Alonso had they got along better.

]]> By: Gusto http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68505 Gusto Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:17:06 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68505 After many hours of what if`s, Iam still not sure, that huge run in to the first corner could produce 20 million outcomes (not that this is different from any other race), but I keep getting this feeling Alonso`s not two times WDC for nothing, he`s got the sensible head to avoid the potential crash-fest that could occur at turn 1 and capatilise. After many hours of what if`s, Iam still not sure, that huge run in to the first corner could produce 20 million outcomes (not that this is different from any other race), but I keep getting this feeling Alonso`s not two times WDC for nothing, he`s got the sensible head to avoid the potential crash-fest that could occur at turn 1 and capatilise.

]]> By: Ago http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68501 Ago Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:51:38 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68501 sorry for all the mistakes in my previous post! All measures were in increase of time as from Q2-Q3 you add fuel so loose time ;-) I want Felipe to stay close to Lewis as I would like to see this title to go to the last race. I must say I feel for Felipe: He's done a good job, he's made a lot of progress, and he doesn't speak or act as if he was ruling the world... And he's got his share of bad luck. Kimi annoys me in the end! I was so pleased last year and I hoped the title will change him! I knew it was not going to be a dramatic change, but something was to happen,,, but didn't! Sometimes even when he wins a race I have the feeling I am more happy than he is! Lewis has plenty of time and Felipe might not have that many opportunitie.... Like Blundell on ITV names the driver of the race, I believe Felipe is the driver of the year, that's why I think he deserves a title. Nice chap, quick driver, improved a lot.. yep to me that fits the bill ;-) sorry for all the mistakes in my previous post! All measures were in increase of time as from Q2-Q3 you add fuel so loose time ;-)

I want Felipe to stay close to Lewis as I would like to see this title to go to the last race.

I must say I feel for Felipe: He’s done a good job, he’s made a lot of progress, and he doesn’t speak or act as if he was ruling the world… And he’s got his share of bad luck.

Kimi annoys me in the end! I was so pleased last year and I hoped the title will change him! I knew it was not going to be a dramatic change, but something was to happen,,, but didn’t!
Sometimes even when he wins a race I have the feeling I am more happy than he is!

Lewis has plenty of time and Felipe might not have that many opportunitie…. Like Blundell on ITV names the driver of the race, I believe Felipe is the driver of the year, that’s why I think he deserves a title. Nice chap, quick driver, improved a lot.. yep to me that fits the bill ;-)

]]> By: me http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68500 me Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:48:32 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68500 <blockquote>He may be light, but he is in a good car with a team that know to make a pitstop work. He also has his team mate close by to interrupt Ferrari advances.</blockquote> agreed on the first point, but kovi will likely be 8th or worse by the end of the first lap. he's as good as useless to hamilton.

He may be light, but he is in a good car with a team that know to make a pitstop work. He also has his team mate close by to interrupt Ferrari advances.

agreed on the first point, but kovi will likely be 8th or worse by the end of the first lap. he’s as good as useless to hamilton.

]]> By: Oliver White http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68498 Oliver White Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:11:28 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68498 <blockquote>Results tomorrow? if no SC out before end of first stint?</blockquote> I <em>want</em> Kimi to win. But only after a long battle with Hamilton that doesn't end in the stewards' office. And I don't want Lewis to win because I would prefer him to stay closer to Massa to extend the championship right down to the final lap at Interlagos. But... I think Hamilton might take the victory. He may be light, but he is in a good car with a team that know to make a pitstop work. He also has his team mate close by to interrupt Ferrari advances.

Results tomorrow? if no SC out before end of first stint?

I want Kimi to win. But only after a long battle with Hamilton that doesn’t end in the stewards’ office. And I don’t want Lewis to win because I would prefer him to stay closer to Massa to extend the championship right down to the final lap at Interlagos.

But… I think Hamilton might take the victory. He may be light, but he is in a good car with a team that know to make a pitstop work. He also has his team mate close by to interrupt Ferrari advances.

]]> By: Ago http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68497 Ago Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:58:16 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68497 Let me tell you what I see: I am comparing the times in Q2 and Q3 for the top 10: -4 drivers improved between 0.911-1.048s (bracket 0.137s) Hamilton/Raikkonen/Alonso/Kubica -4 improved improved between 1.448-1.587 (bracket 0.139s) Massa/Kovalainen/Trulli/Glock -2 drivers increased between 1.924-2.065s (bracket 0.141s) Vettel/Bourdais And between each group there is 0.5s so 3 times more than what separates the drivers within in their respective groups... You might call that coincidence I call it differently ;-) 0.5s is roughly 10-12kg that to me is 3-4 laps. Tomorrow if there is no incident before the first pit stop we will see if this is coincidence or fuel load difference. I'll bet a tenner on that, say... 75% success? (3/4 of drivers stopping as I suggest) Let me tell you what I see:
I am comparing the times in Q2 and Q3 for the top 10:

-4 drivers improved between 0.911-1.048s (bracket 0.137s)
Hamilton/Raikkonen/Alonso/Kubica

-4 improved improved between 1.448-1.587 (bracket 0.139s)
Massa/Kovalainen/Trulli/Glock

-2 drivers increased between 1.924-2.065s (bracket 0.141s)
Vettel/Bourdais

And between each group there is 0.5s so 3 times more than what separates the drivers within in their respective groups…

You might call that coincidence I call it differently ;-)

0.5s is roughly 10-12kg that to me is 3-4 laps.

Tomorrow if there is no incident before the first pit stop we will see if this is coincidence or fuel load difference.
I’ll bet a tenner on that, say… 75% success? (3/4 of drivers stopping as I suggest)

]]> By: Gusto http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68496 Gusto Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:39:44 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68496 No I think it looked like a Mclaren, sorry I couldn`t resist ;-)....but thinking about it the finishing order would of been different if it was a Mclaren No I think it looked like a Mclaren, sorry I couldn`t resist ;-) ….but thinking about it the finishing order would of been different if it was a Mclaren

]]> By: Oliver White http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68495 Oliver White Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:38:13 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68495 <blockquote>Mirror…Signal….Manoeuvre….whats Sutil doing there.</blockquote> I didn't catch which driver it was who was coming down the pitlane during Massa's fumbled stop, but was it seriously Sutil again!? What is it with those two teams and the pitlane?

Mirror…Signal….Manoeuvre….whats Sutil doing there.

I didn’t catch which driver it was who was coming down the pitlane during Massa’s fumbled stop, but was it seriously Sutil again!? What is it with those two teams and the pitlane?

]]> By: Gusto http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68493 Gusto Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:24:09 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68493 It goes to show what a fine line it is between getting it right or not, perhaps Massa`s MoJo was lost after the Lollipop was brought down ( not that he stopped ) after the box full of neutral`s pit release...Mirror...Signal....Manoeuvre....whats Sutil doing there. It goes to show what a fine line it is between getting it right or not, perhaps Massa`s MoJo was lost after the Lollipop was brought down ( not that he stopped ) after the box full of neutral`s pit release…Mirror…Signal….Manoeuvre….whats Sutil doing there.

]]> By: Oliver White http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68492 Oliver White Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:40:39 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68492 I would say that Giancarlo Fisichella was "crucified" in qualifying today, especially given that Adrian Sutil was in the sister car. :) I would say that Giancarlo Fisichella was “crucified” in qualifying today, especially given that Adrian Sutil was in the sister car. :)

]]> By: Gusto http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68491 Gusto Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:39:01 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68491 Touche...it was a crucifying lap and no mistaking. Working on 10kg disadvantages by 4 tenths, and gives you 3 laps, Mcl and Fer will pit within 2 laps of each other, if Fer pit first then it will be an even better lap than we thought. But then again its not the first time ive spoken outta the side of me neck ;-) . Alonso will be the one to watch, he will driving like he`s just nicked it. Touche…it was a crucifying lap and no mistaking. Working on 10kg disadvantages by 4 tenths, and gives you 3 laps, Mcl and Fer will pit within 2 laps of each other, if Fer pit first then it will be an even better lap than we thought. But then again its not the first time ive spoken outta the side of me neck ;-) . Alonso will be the one to watch, he will driving like he`s just nicked it.

]]> By: Ago http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68490 Ago Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:23:47 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68490 If being in pole by 0.240s is "nailed" then what verb do you use when Massa was 0.67s in front a couple of weeks ago in Singapore? "crucified" maybe ;) Quali these days is more about fuel load than anything else...All drivers in Q3 improved their times -between their 1st and 2nd fast laps in Q3- by more than 0.2s the fuel consumption in 3 laps -yes there are 3 laps between two fast laps- accounts easily for 0.2s in Fuji. That is not to say Lewis had a poor qualification he had a great one but I do believe it's a fuel strategy choice that explains that... and the fact that he improved of 0.7s between his laps 1 and 2 that added that extra feeling it was "nailing"... But I might be wrong... it's a guess not a fact. If being in pole by 0.240s is “nailed” then what verb do you use when Massa was 0.67s in front a couple of weeks ago in Singapore? “crucified” maybe ;)

Quali these days is more about fuel load than anything else…All drivers in Q3 improved their times -between their 1st and 2nd fast laps in Q3- by more than 0.2s the fuel consumption in 3 laps -yes there are 3 laps between two fast laps- accounts easily for 0.2s in Fuji.
That is not to say Lewis had a poor qualification he had a great one but I do believe it’s a fuel strategy choice that explains that… and the fact that he improved of 0.7s between his laps 1 and 2 that added that extra feeling it was “nailing”… But I might be wrong… it’s a guess not a fact.

]]> By: Gusto http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68486 Gusto Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:18:49 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68486 After seeing that Pole position lap it was worth staying up for 2 nights, I dont think Lewis is that light, I think he just `nailed it`, watching some of the onboard the Ferrari looked like it was a handful to drive, and tyre wear will be an issue for them, Unless it rains I cant see a safety car being deployed because of the huge run off area`s and Kimi will go into turn 1 in front even if he takes Lewis out with him. Cant wait, it`s going to be a great race. After seeing that Pole position lap it was worth staying up for 2 nights, I dont think Lewis is that light, I think he just `nailed it`, watching some of the onboard the Ferrari looked like it was a handful to drive, and tyre wear will be an issue for them, Unless it rains I cant see a safety car being deployed because of the huge run off area`s and Kimi will go into turn 1 in front even if he takes Lewis out with him. Cant wait, it`s going to be a great race.

]]> By: Ago http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/10/11/fuji-2008-hamilton-storms-to-japanese-pole-position/comment-page-1/#comment-68484 Ago Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:21:30 +0000 http://blogf1.co.uk/?p=2272#comment-68484 Hi Oliver, Lewis didn't fend anything he is very light I think, and of course he is a natural pole chaser! For me a gain of more than 0.7s between the 2 Q3 fast laps is impossible. If it happens it is because the first run was bad (Alonso is also in that case). So I bet 3 drivers are light on fuel : Kimi, Lewis and Fernando, two are a bit heavier Heikki and Massa. I do not believe Massa did really bad, I think he is disappointed because he thought with this load of fuel he could be no more than 3rd... and was beaten by Heikki and Fernando that he was not expecting to be on his way.... My opinion is that Ferrari changed strategy this time and Kimi is going to be the hare while Felipe has covered himself for an (un)expected safety car... Results tomorrow? if no SC out before end of first stint??? ;-) Hi Oliver, Lewis didn’t fend anything he is very light I think, and of course he is a natural pole chaser!

For me a gain of more than 0.7s between the 2 Q3 fast laps is impossible. If it happens it is because the first run was bad (Alonso is also in that case).
So I bet 3 drivers are light on fuel : Kimi, Lewis and Fernando, two are a bit heavier Heikki and Massa.

I do not believe Massa did really bad, I think he is disappointed because he thought with this load of fuel he could be no more than 3rd… and was beaten by Heikki and Fernando that he was not expecting to be on his way….
My opinion is that Ferrari changed strategy this time and Kimi is going to be the hare while Felipe has covered himself for an (un)expected safety car…

Results tomorrow? if no SC out before end of first stint??? ;-)

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