Must say, the whole race was clockwork, more precise than dreams. Now, LH is apparently stating that he accidentaly re-initialized the car http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/071022220432.shtml
Ouch. Makes me wonder about next year's Microsoft ECUs: Cars in midrace starting to reboot. Pit: "Lewis, what's going on? Why are you cruising around at 10 mph?" ...64kb ok...128 kb ok...256 kb ok...Reading system files...checking disc...disc check complete...booting ECU...configuring engine settings... Brimmbrimmmbrimmm.
Not when it's obvious the stop took a number of seconds longer than normal to let a team member past!
Not a joke, Microsoft (technically McLaren) was contracted to produce the ECUs for next years F1 cars.
I like Massa. He's a great driver, but he is still prone to the odd mistake. Next year Mclaren will probably make Hamilton their unchallenged #1, and if Ferrari wants to compete for the WDC they are gonna have to do the same. So I hope Kimi is the undisputed #1 next year at Ferrari. Now that he's gotten used to the car he has shown what he can do. He rarely makes any mistakes, and that's an ability that's gonna be big next year with the lack of TC.
Ferrari should bag next years, as McLaren will be weaker unless they can find a big sponsor to refill the $'s lost from this years scandle. Also Ferrari are probably 6 months ahead of McLaren in development, especially since McLaren have been simply copying Ferrari's brakes. Thus it has to be Kimi, unless Alonso can find a really good seat fast and perform a miracle with that team. Probably have to be the Renault team for him then. I don't think LH will get it because the McLaren could be weaker, hence why this year was soooo important and why they made a horrendous mistake putting all the eggs in the wrong basket. Pete
I don't think Kimi is where he should be yet (funny thing to say now he's champion, I know). His qualifying skills need improvement if he is to beat Massa and the others. If he nails that then he's unstopable. (in Brasil he clearly needed Massa's help to pass Hamilton after the start)
Good point. Kimi hasn't done well with the micromanaged qualifying format -- but better than with single lap qualifying. Kimi is quick, but a smidge inconsistent. Massa qualifies well, but sometimes has trouble with traffic. Both seem to be improving. But next year's cars may be a disaster, with the spec ECU from McCheater/Microsloth. It may be a question of who manages to finish more than three races. FIA really has to re-think that ECU decision. That's got fiasco written all over it.
My point is that Ferrari need to make a #1 and #2 driver right from the start. Mclaren for sure will make Hamilton their #1 driver, and will put all their effort behind him. If Ferrari doesn't, Mclaren and Hamilton will walk away with the WDC for sure. At least Ferrari should name their #1 after the first 3 or 4 races.
What were the times on the pit stops? Every round of pit stops has trouble, either fuel taking an extra 1/2 second to get the nozzle in, a wheel nut being mis threaded, over shooting the tape by 18 inches etc. The bigger question is why they brought him in so early. He didn't get to do the wicked quick flying laps because I believe he still had a couple of laps of fuel on board. And that's what gave Kimi the lead he needed. Does anyone know what the two pit times were?
No. Kimi has a good chance, but it is risky against Alonso, Hamilton and possibly a black horse in the Beemer. But I'm willing to bet that Massa won't get it.
Clarify this Ted, are talking women or the farm type? There is a difference, and I have seen the latter fly. Well sort of, when pushed off a barn roof, they do the Wright Brothers thing for a while. And the 2008 WDC will be a great competition between two drivers, Kimi and Phil. They will have fun doing it and if Massa continues his rate of improvement as in the last 18 months, he will clip Kimi by two points. No, I don't bet. When in Vegas I cough up $1.25, that's it.
Not a betting man but I would have put money on the Hamster as WDC until the Brazil race started. Then I would have put money on Unfairnando. Would have bet Kimi as a long shot. Trying to predict next year is a long shot at best. We don't even know who will be driving for which teams yet. Will Ross be back at SF? How will the new rules play out? Just too many variables to get upset over predicting who will be WDC next year
