now lets see if Vettel can race wheel to wheel now that he doesn't have a magical car

 

Agreed! Also, with McLaren, Mercedes, RBR, and Renault so close to each other it should be extremely interesting to see how it plays out. Seems like the launch won't be quite as important this year, but more so how well you manage your tires. Oh, and I want to change jobs and become the guy that's responsible for researching other team's cars and finding stuff like the slot gap normally covered by the wing flap on the Mercedes. How many hours of reviewing film and stills from a couple days of winter test sessions do you think were spent looking for that?!

 

That McLaren is the most beautiful car on the grid and seems to be the fastest too.

Agreed.

It was great to see Sauber/Kobay place in front of Big Red.

 

I am looking for some big things tomorrow

Later, Ken

 

I think we'll see what kind of driver he really is now, which in my opinion isn't that great. McLaren, Lotus, and Mercedes look to be the top teams so far. Really disappointed in Kimi, but I guess he needs to shake off the dust. Looking for Michael to get a podium today

 

^^^^ Seems like everyone forgets how Vettel EARNED the job at RBR to begin with. It's not like he's only capable of quality drives with the quickest car on the grid. Don't forget he was the youngest ever to score points while at BMW, and then youngest ever to win a race at freaking Toro Rosso in his 1st full season.....in the wet no less. So.....obviously the hype machine has been overzealous about him after winning consecutive championships, but still, the kid HAS TO BE one of the best driver's on the grid to have accomplished so much in so little time. He's demonstrated the ability to get better every year, so I personally think he's well prepared to battle for wins and podiums with only a competitive car rather than a dominant car.

 

^ I agree that his Torro Rosso win was amazing but its hard for me to think he's "that good" when he's had a car thats been at least 0.5 seconds faster than any other car on the grid the last 2 years. This year will show that since McLaren, Red Bull, Lotus, and Mercedes all look to be really close to each other.

 

It's a valid argument, but last year, for example, it was 0.5 seconds quicker with him behind the wheel, and on par with the McLaren with Mark Webber behind the wheel. Just something to consider. I also don't consider him "that good", but I also think the best is yet to come for him. The results may not show it, because he most likely will never experience the same dominant situation he enjoyed last year, BUT I really think that Vettel will continue to compete for championships as long as he has a competitive car.

 

Great quali session last night, staying up til 4am watching it wasn't such a great idea though (hurtin today). Having honda-guy text me at 3:30am just to tell me Ferrari sucks, hilarious.


How many wins does Vettel have when he didn't start P1?

 

^ you'll be getting a text from me at 4am telling you ferrari suck again.

 

You made me curious, so I took a couple minutes to check. Answer:

Once in 2009, Twice in 2010, and three times in 2011.

I have a feeling that he'll have to do it more than 3 times in 2012 if he hopes to retain his title.

 

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. Without spell check I would be lost. I can't build a rocket or do brain surgery. But I thought I understood racing. But after reading some posts here I realize I don't. So what some of you are saying is the guy that was the fastest in most qualifying and races last year can't drive and the guy that crashed the most and spent alot of time talking to the stewards is the better driver? I'm all confused. So as a Vettel fan I need to hope he runs into Massa and throws tantrums in order to prove he can drive? Well poo, that changes everything.

Magic car? Hahaha abracadabra?

Well I guess the season is over for Vettel. No time for him to catch up if he loses the first race.

 

I don't remember anyone saying that Hamilton was better?! Maybe some people think that, but I don't. At least not the version that's been driving so erratically the last couple of years. However, I think he's realistically the fastest driver out there since the days of Raikkonen at McLaren.

 

I use hamilton as an example because many if the forums I'm on dislike vettel and love hamilton. Almost to the point of hate. Which I find strange because vettel seems so down to earth and genuine. Vettel it seems more then any racer has so many people that dislike him beyond just the general I'm not a fan if his because I like somebody else. And you can't deny that he seems to get the "car is whats good not him" a lot. Even here. Personally as much as I love how he dominated every other driver last year, it will be nice to see what his haters say at the end of this season when he wins his third all the while not starting pole.


He can't pass? He embarrassed alonso with 2 wheels on the grass.

it's hard to fight the his car is better. What should he do? Go to bottom team just to show he can. The best drivers earn the best cars. Thats the way it is. Of course we won't know if I'm right or the are haters are right for many years. I have be wrong in the past but I don't think I am in regards to vettel. He has skill, determination, and his head on straight for such a young kid.

 

If you look at the 2011 F1 thread, there was PLENTY of hate for Hamilton on there.

Whether right or wrong, I think it's natural for people to hate a guy that goes out and dominates like he did last year. You have to remember that there are 23 other guys, and 11 other teams on the grid, and their fans are all going to dislike a guy like Vettel when he dominates their favorite driver and/or team.