Valencia, Es La Tierra De Las Flores...

[AleHop 0]

These are completely new:

http://clausell-f1.com/?p=244

[LabradoRacer 2]

I'm eager to see what those hyper-creative guys at Mercedes come up with to destroy Schumi's race.

[JHS18 0]

I'm eager to see what those hyper-creative guys at Mercedes come up with to destroy Schumi's race.

It's probably about time something went wrong with the brakes, or had a catastrophic KERS failure.

[AleHop 0]

Parafina team:

http://clausell-f1.com/?p=291

[Massa 0]

There was practice this morning...

Vettel will win, as I said and as George or someone like George said, but after him, anyone could do anything. Which makes it almost vaguely like something interesting I guess.

[AleHop 0]

Vettel will crash.

This is ridiculous:

[JHS18 0]

The only thing that is guaranteed from this weekend is despite looking fast today, Mercedes will definitely find a way to screw Michael's race up.

[AleHop 0]

His right knee's swollen up. He suffered an accident while cycling. :sad:

Don't panic. That's a good sign for a win in Valencia. He doesn't have to cycle in his F2012.

[Gilles V. 0]

Huh? They've only been racing here since 2008, and Michael's only raced here twice since his comeback and has had difficult races both times.

You are right, I'm mixed up and though of Catalugna.

[AleHop 0]

THE CIRCUIT:

[AleHop 0]

McLaren run two different engine covers in today's sessions.

[AleHop 0]

Red Bull winglets.

Surely illegal.

[Rainmaster 7]

So far, it looks like the obvious prediction of Red Bull and Lotus being strong here seems true. So expect them both to be miles off the pace come race day.

[AleHop 0]

1st row will be for Hamilton and Vettel. 2nd row could be Fereari's. Let's ser what happens un Q2.

Why is KOV still driving for Caterham? Is he not a pay driver?

[AleHop 0]

I talked too soon. Both Ferrari drivers out of Q3.

GRO, ROS, DIR, VET, RAI, BUT, MAL, HAM, HUL, KOB will fight for P1.

¡¡¡MIERDA!!!

[LabradoRacer 2]

We can safely rule out an eigth different winner. Amazing quali by Vettel, but it remains to be seen if his car has the same pace in the race.

Hope Maldonado & Grosjean take out a few guys. As in crashing, not dating.

Hope Koba gains some places.

Surprised to see Schumi & the Ferraris out of Q3.

[AleHop 0]

Starting grid:

1.- VET HAM

2.- MAL GRO

3.- RAI ROS

4.- KOB HUL

5.- BUT DIR

6.- ALO SCH

7.- MAS SEN

8.- PER KOV

9.- RIC VER

10.- WEB PET

11.- DLR KAR

12.- PIC GLO

[JHS18 0]

Hoping for an eight different winner with Grosjean. Lotus will be quick in the race, I think it is likely.

[Massa 0]

Vettel won the race on Thursday...

[Insider 0]

Nobody cares? Really?

I know you're all excited but no-one wanted to start the topic.

I did it, now tell us.

If you're an F1 fan, you care. If you don't you're not a fan. Thanks for starting it off. I have to agree that Valencia is a bore and needs to be scrapped. With the Spanish economy under so much pressure it probably has a good chance of going south financially anyway - especially at Bernie's prices. With a bit of luck, he'll go under too. I can't believe that he seems to think that persuading someone with huge sums of cash to look after his interests shouldn't be construed as bribery. Extraordinary! So too was Vettel's pole. Nowhere in Q2 and then he takes the p**s and slams in a 1:38.0 - an improvement of nearly half a second in one of the tightest grids of the season. It's obviously an engine boost because their race pace has never been that good this year. Lotus are the big danger and Grosjean is flying. I expect to see Hamilton take Seb very early but RJ and Kimi will hunt him down. Force India have made a big step too and Ferrari could come alive. I see little chance for JB to advance from 9th and much more of the curious quirks he suffered in Q3 will have him thinking of retirement, methinks. I share his concern that he was 2/100ths off Seb in Q2, set an 1:38.5 on used options on his first run in Q3 but complained of zero grip on his final run on a fresh set. I took a deeper look at that. His 1st and 2nd sector times were respectable but he was locking badly on the fronts and abandoned the run. It could have been wind, bad tyres, hot brakes or trying too hard and missing his braking points. Who the hell knows? He hasn't lost his mojo or speed. We saw that in P3. It is getting to him though - no doubt about it. Let's hope he gets past it.

[Rainmaster 7]

In the context of how close the grid is, Vettel's performance was unbelievable. 33 pole positions already, damn. He should have the race wrapped up too, with Hammy and Grosjean looking like his main threats.

[Ikyrotz 0]

I was expecting Vettel to take the pole, but the gap to Hamilton is unbelievable! Considering how tight Q2 was, gaps in Q3 became surprisingly big. Lotus boys seem to be in good position to finish on the podium, I think Kimi has an extra pair of new options for the race which may turn out to be very valuable (he took quite the gamble in Q2 not going out a second time.)

[Rainmaster 7]

Need I say more?

[Massa 0]

A driver as daft as I am...it's perfect. I should name my account after him.

[AleHop 0]

With the Spanish economy under so much pressure it probably has a good chance of going south financially anyway - especially at Bernie's prices. With a bit of luck, he'll go under too. I can't believe that he seems to think that persuading someone with huge sums of cash to look after his interests shouldn't be construed as bribery.

Nobody likes Valencia Street Circuit, that should be enough to quit after 5 years of dull races. But I don't blame Bernie, although I don't like him as a business man and F1 boss. I agree with the article I posted about locals complaining about the GP in Valencia and put the blame on the Spanish politicians, their 'delusions of grandeur' and the presents Bernie has probably given them like he did with that German businessman.

Extraordinary! So too was Vettel's pole. Nowhere in Q2 and then he takes the p**s and slams in a 1:38.0 - an improvement of nearly half a second in one of the tightest grids of the season. It's obviously an engine boost because their race pace has never been that good this year.

Newey has done it again. There's something that gives Vettel the edge in Q3. He gained half a second from Q2 while the next best was Hamilton who gained just 2 tenths.

http://somersf1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/red-bulls-tunnel-vision.html?m=0

http://mccabism.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/red-bulls-double-floor.html?m=0

Some even realised what was going on soon during testing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18551261

Let's hope for a good race tomorrow with some strategy displays and drama up to the last lap.