2012 European GP - Valencia

[raymondu999]

Just curious here, but why is virtually nobody picking Alonso for the win? What is it about the circuit that is Ferrari unfriendly?

I don't think Ferrari/Fernando is/will be particularly rubbish around Valencia, but I think in Valencia, Hamilton and Vettel are two Valencia specialists. I expect them to have an edge on him, at least in driving stakes.

Just curious here, but why is virtually nobody picking Alonso for the win? What is it about the circuit that is Ferrari unfriendly?

The track temperature and optimal tyre temperature for the car, though Ferrari are a little bit of an unknown... Merc don't stand a chance, RBR and Lotus should be quick, McLaren and Ferrari are a little unknonwn though McLaren may not be great.

Just about agreed. Ferrari (especially in their latest exhaust iteration is a bit of an unknown at the moment

raikonen doesnt have the edge this year. He has the craft but i dont think he has the speed like grosjean. Romaine to me looks more likely to win a race;if he survives the first 15 laps.

I'm a massive Raikkonen fan, but sadly I have to agree with you there.

Mclaren may not do to well in the heat, but they may have learnt from last year and improved their car in that sense.

It's interesting isn't it. Traction + heat seems to be so weird on the McLaren. They burnt up their rears in Valencia 2011, but then were fine in Singapore 2011. Then they burn up their rears badly in Bahrain, but in Canada where it was hotter they come out on top.

To memory, the weather and temperatures stay more or less consistent through the Valencia weekend, and the change in track conditions really only come about in track evolution and cleaning up from a dirty track. Will be interesting to see how the teams fare in what should be another consistent-temperature race; especially as it's the first one since Mugello. We've had quite a few microclimates happening in the last 3 grands prix, with what I consider the last "temperature consistent" race weekend to be China and Bahrain.

[f1316]

I don't think Ferrari/Fernando is/will be particularly rubbish around Valencia, but I think in Valencia, Hamilton and Vettel are two Valencia specialists. I expect them to have an edge on him, at least in driving stakes.

I actually think, as someone else mentioned, Alonso's very good around Valencia. For him to beat one Red Bull last year - and what's more pass it on track - was quite an achievment given the relative performance of the cars, and in 2010 he had great pace once the tyres came up to temperature, only to be hampered by some unfortunately circumstances with the safety car.

I see those three - Hamilton, Alonso and Vettel - being very close again, as you yourself mentioned earlier, ray. Them not being on the podium together surely can't last long, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see those three in some order up there. I think Ferrari did well (pace-wise) in Canada with very little running of their new exhaust, but with extra running/setup tweaks I can see Alonso taking this one.

Maybe wishful thinking...

[Raptor22]

Hmmm, everyone forgeting about Perez.

That car seems to be good at circuits where the surface is relatively green. Melbourne, Malaysia, Monanco (fastest lap) Montreal...
Ok valenicia starts with a V so maybe they won't go well but at tracks where the surface is not heavily rubbered in, this car goes very well

[FrukostScones]

Hmmm, everyone forgeting about Perez.

That car seems to be good at circuits where the surface is relatively green. Melbourne, Malaysia, Monanco (fastest lap) Montreal...
Ok valenicia starts with a V so maybe they won't go well but at tracks where the surface is not heavily rubbered in, this car goes very well

yeah, but Saubers where not that good in Bahrain and 31°C is the latest forecast for 06/22/23/24Valencia. And I think Saubers (Perez) are champs on supersoft. Perez will win Silverstone that is pretty certain, if not Maldo will do.

[beelsebob]

Hmmm, everyone forgeting about Perez.

That car seems to be good at circuits where the surface is relatively green. Melbourne, Malaysia, Monanco (fastest lap) Montreal...
Ok valenicia starts with a V so maybe they won't go well but at tracks where the surface is not heavily rubbered in, this car goes very well

But it seems to like cold temps, Valencia won't have them.

[Raptor22]

Peter Sauber is suggesting they are on top of that. The last few races have had lower temps but Malaysia was actualy warm, despite being overcast.
Lets see, but I see an upward trend at Sauber. I really hope they maintain it and finish the season 5th or higher. Its also quick in a straight line so they're going to give the likes of Mercedes a headache at Spa and Silverstone.

[Chuckjr]

Do you all think that Ferrari was mostly guessing on set up in Canada with their new exhaust, or do you think they walked in with a good idea for what it would bring and how to set the car up? I think if any of you have insight into that question, we can better extrapolate the position Ferrari is in currently with the new system and therefore better understand their chances in Valencia. Im curious what you all think as many in here seem to have a good, logical hold of teams and what they know/can do at each track.

[foxmulder_ms]

I think McLaren and RB will be really close. My bet is on Hamilton, again.

I am anxious to see what Button will do.

[zyphro]

What are people basing their predictions on?

Any idea of weather forecast? It's usually very warm in Valencia.

[n smikle]

Mclaren domination. Mclaren 1-2 on the grid by 0.4 seconds to the next car.

[beelsebob]

What are people basing their predictions on?

Any idea of weather forecast? It's usually very warm in Valencia.

Of course a week in advance the forecasts are generally fairly poor, but the current ones say dry + 26°C... Somewhat cooler than Valencia normally is, perhaps this'll benefit McLaren then.

[myurr]

Mclaren domination. Mclaren 1-2 on the grid by 0.4 seconds to the next car.

I could buy an easy pole in Silverstone, as the McLaren is probably the strongest through the fast corners, but I think Valencia is going to be a lot tighter than that. I reckon Vettel will get pole but only by compromising his race pace a little, so he won't win the race. That'll be between Hamilton and Alonso.

[gray41]

Alonso for me to win this one, Vettel pole but not by much.

Q
1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Alonso
4. Webber
5. Rosberg

R
1. Alonso
2. Vettel
3. Hamilton
4. Grosjean
5. Webber

[zyphro]

Is there any real meaning behind this article?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100478

[bhallg2k]

I guess it's just Schumacher's turn.