F1 2013 Predictions Championship Options

[tune]

I was pretty pissed to see Hamilton's tyre blow and thought that the race would be a bit of a drag from then on with Vettel running away with it. How wrong I was. A lot of people not in the F1 paddock are pointing the finger away from Pirelli and questioning the teams, overstressing the tyres, pressures too low, etc. I don't recall races where Bridgestone or Michelin had 4 blowouts in the same race however. That said it is odd that they were all left rears that went, suggesting there was something at the circuit that didn't work well with Pirelli tyre construction.

clarkma5...................(12).....130
Tune..........................(14).....117.....-13
skr............................(20).....106.....-24

[tune]

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Webber
4. Raikkonen
5. Rosberg
6. Alonso
7. Massa
8. Button
9. Ricciardo
10. Di Resta

FL. Webber

[skr]

1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
4. Alonso
5. Webber
6. Rosberg
7. Massa
8. Hulkenburg
9. Button
10. Di Resta

FL: Vettel

[clarkma5]

1. Webber
2. Hamilton
3. Vettel
4. Raikkonen
5. Rosberg
6. Alonso
7. Ricciardo
8. Massa
9. Di Resta
10. Button

FL Rosberg

[tune]

Well that has closed things up a bit. Not much to say about the race, I watched parts of it during a barbecue. Poor camerman.

clarkma5...........(9)......139
Tune.................(16).....133........-6
skr....................(20).....126........-13

[clarkma5]

Yeah, I guessed that one poorly. Great showing from McLaren though!

[tune]

I'm on holiday next week, so this is mine ahead of time, so I don't end up with a carry over.

1. Raikkonen
2. Vettel
3. Hamilton
4. Alonso
5. Webber
6. Grosjean
7. Rosberg
8. Ricciardo
9. Di Resta
10. Button
FL. Webber

[skr]

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Alonso
4. Raikkonen
5. Grosjean
6. Massa
7. Webber
8. Ricciardo
9. Rosberg
10. Perez

FL: Vettel

[clarkma5]

1. Grosjean
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
4. Alonso
5. Webber
6. Rosberg
7. Ricciardo
8. Hamilton
9. Perez
10. Di Resta

FL Vettel

[tune]

Maybe I should do my predictions a week an advance every time

Tune...............................(25).......158
clarkma5.........................(17).......156.......-2
skr..................................(18).......144.......-14

I don't think Hamilton should be getting too ahead of himself yet, but there's a few tracks coming up that he's capable of winning, no doubt. Like him or loathe him, if Mercedes can keep the tyres in check, I think he's got the next best package to challenge Vettel (at the moment), so I'd like to see him take the fight to him.

[clarkma5]

Uh oh, haven't had a good couple races!

I knew putting faith in Grosjean was a mistake...

[skr]

1. Hamilton
2. Alonso
3. Raikkonen
4. Vettel
5. Rosberg
6. Webber
7. Massa
8. Di Resta
9. Button
10. Perez

FL: Raikkonen

Reason for edit: Swapped Raikkonen for Rosberg and put Raikkonen as FL

[tune]

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Raikkonen
4. Webber
5. Rosberg
6. Alonso
7. Button
8. Di Resta
9. Hulkenberg
10. Ricciardo

FL. Raikkonen

[clarkma5]

1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Alonso
4. Button
5. Raikkonen
6. Di Resta
7. Perez
8. Grosjean
9. Massa
10. Hulkenberg

FL Vettel

[tune]

Spa is usually one of my favourite races, but it left me a bit cold yesterday.

Tune.......................(22).....158
clarkma5.................(23).....156.....-2
skr..........................(23).....144.....-14

[clarkma5]

The race didn't quite live up to the qualifying, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, as this season it's often been qualifying that's been a little flat. It was a good race...below the top 5. And even in the top 5, gotta say Alonso was impressive.

[tune]

I agree, Alonso was on form. Most likely challenger to Vettel just because he has the raw determination. He's getting every ounce of performance out of the car at every opportunity.

Mercedes pace baffled me a little - I didn't expect sector 2 to be where they would gain time on Red Bull in qualifying.

[clarkma5]

Well, Mercedes said pre-race that they setup the car expecting mixed weather, so they compromised for more downforce compared to those running in the dry. It was clear to see that the low downforce Red Bull configuration was totally dry focused and totally focused on not suffering in a straightline. So not too surprising, really.

[tune]

Ah I missed that. I only saw the last few minutes of qualifying and parts of the race.

[tune]

I'm away at a festival this weekend, so a good chance for you guys to take advantage!

1. Hamilton
2. Alonso
3. Vettel
4. Rosberg
5. Button
6. Massa
7. Raikkonen
8. Perez
9. Grosjean
10. Vergne

FL. Vettel