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Winner number eight - is it going to happen?

Started by jeze , Jul 24 2012 21:44

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52 replies to this topic

#1 jeze

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 21:44

Sorry for starting another thread - am bored I suppose, but I think this is something that is worth covering

This season we started off with seven different winners of the seven first races.

Jenson Button
Fernando Alonso
Nico Rosberg
Sebastian Vettel
Pastor Maldonado
Mark Webber
Lewis Hamilton

Inevitably it was only a matter of time before that streak was interrupted, which Fernando Alonso did by winning the European Grand Prix. Webber and Alonso have then won the two following races, which brings us up to the half-way stage of the season.

How many others have been on the cusp of winning? Two names immediately spring to mind. Sergio Pérez stalked Alonso in Malaysia only to run off the track with a few laps left to go and had to settle for second. Since the Ferrari had good straightline speed compared to the Sauber and with no DRS allowed and Pérez just half a second a lap faster in the wet there I don't think he'd been likely to win it anyway. Still, Sauber have a car that could do a Maldonado at some time this season. It's that good. Just watch how the drivers performed last time out.

Kimi also came close to beating Vettel in Bahrain - in fact I felt he should. Had he taken the dare in the overtaking manoeuvre he had - he could've done it. As of yet he has struggled in qualifying, but with double DRS available and Spa soon... he's not going to lose that one in dry weather is he? Well maybe if temperatures are cold during qualifying... else not. I think Kimi is going to win a race this year, so there you have it. Grosjean could also do it, and if the Ferrari continues to improve and Massa has a crazy weekend (the one weekend a year when he outpaces Alonso) then perhaps he could win a race. He has the equipment to do it - which Alonso has proven this year. Schumacher? Well the Mercedes lacks race pace at the moment, it's not out of the question, but I don't really see Mercedes winning any more races this year.

But what do you think? Is the #8 going to come?

#2 Coops3

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 21:46

I'm gonna say yes. Kimi has to win a race... surely?!

#3 wrcva

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 21:46

I'm gonna say yes. Kimi has to win a race... surely?!

#4 DiStefano

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 21:50

Kimi @ Spa.

Though I hope he finishes 2nd there

#5 Mackey

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 21:52

I´d be very surprised if Lotus doesn´t win at least one race, they have the car to do it. So Grosjean or Kimi will win for sure!

#6 Clatter

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 21:59

I´d be very surprised if Lotus doesn´t win at least one race, they have the car to do it. So Grosjean or Kimi will win for sure!

I'll be surprised if they do now. They missed their chance early in the season and the top 3 are now pulling away from them,

#7 garoidb

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:03

I'm gonna say yes. Kimi has to win a race... surely?!

Spa, perhaps.

#8 Hippo

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:14

Kimi at Spa is an intriguing thought. He has always been exceptionally good there. This year is crazy though. Lotus seem to do better when it's hot. But given how rainy weather has been so far I'd be surprised if Spa were to be hot. Although he can win it in the wet as well of course.

But Monza could deliver the 8th winner too I think. I have a hunch, that Sauber and maybe Lotus will be very fast there.

#9 Wander

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:17

We will get an 8th winner, but no more.

#10 scheivlak

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:22

Kimi at Spa is an intriguing thought. He has always been exceptionally good there. This year is crazy though. Lotus seem to do better when it's hot. But given how rainy weather has been so far I'd be surprised if Spa were to be hot. Although he can win it in the wet as well of course.

But Monza could deliver the 8th winner too I think. I have a hunch, that Sauber and maybe Lotus will be very fast there.

Mercedes should be pretty decent at Monza as well, and a Schumi win would be kind of nice.

#11 jeze

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:22

Kimi at Spa is an intriguing thought. He has always been exceptionally good there. This year is crazy though. Lotus seem to do better when it's hot. But given how rainy weather has been so far I'd be surprised if Spa were to be hot. Although he can win it in the wet as well of course.

But Monza could deliver the 8th winner too I think. I have a hunch, that Sauber and maybe Lotus will be very fast there.

Sauber is an interesting bet for Monza, their good tracks on raw pace have been Valencia and Hockenheim - tracks where you need good straightline speed and to do well in slow and medium-speed corners. On the other hand they struggled in Canada?

I don't think Lotus can win there. Their car has too much downforce so lacks the extra punch in the straightline unless they can use their double DRS. Even if they'd take pole there they'd be eaten up in the race since their car doesn't really stand out during braking. I'd say Vettel based on Valencia and Montréal form is a credible Monza bet, but so could Alonso be too, it's arguably his best track along with Singapore.

#12 scheivlak

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:34

Sauber is an interesting bet for Monza, their good tracks on raw pace have been Valencia and Hockenheim - tracks where you need good straightline speed and to do well in slow and medium-speed corners. On the other hand they struggled in Canada?

Not at all. Look where Perez finished and Koba was in contention for quite a few points as well for quite a while. It's just that their Q sucked.

I don't think Lotus can win there. Their car has too much downforce so lacks the extra punch in the straightline unless they can use their double DRS.

I think there's no car that's as flexible set-up wise as the Lotus. On certain circuits they were more or less at the top of the speed traps. It's just what they're choosing to do.

#13 GAZF1nut

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:36

Monaco suited the Lotus car really well and with hot temperatures forecast then could this be their weekend to shine?

#14 Hippo

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:38

Sauber is an interesting bet for Monza, their good tracks on raw pace have been Valencia and Hockenheim - tracks where you need good straightline speed and to do well in slow and medium-speed corners. On the other hand they struggled in Canada?

Their pace didn't look that great, but their tire conservation was awesome on the other hand. Thanks to that they managed to beat Alonso and Vettel to the podium.

Surprise, surprise Lotus had the same quality that day. That plus I believe they are actually pretty fast in the straights. Without checking any resources I'd say Lotus usually is among the top 3 teams in terms of top speed at any event.

#15 Henrik B

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:39

I think there's no car that's as flexible set-up wise as the Lotus. On certain circuits they were more or less at the top of the speed traps. It's just what they're choosing to do.

The feeling I get is that the Lotus is good everywhere, but never the fastest on any given track. Perhaps Bahrain.

Theres a good chance we get the eight winner, but I'd not be surprised if it doesn't happen either.

#16 Disgrace

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 22:53

We could get up to ten with Grosjean, Schumi and Kimi all with winning potential.

#17 jeze

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 23:05

Their pace didn't look that great, but their tire conservation was awesome on the other hand. Thanks to that they managed to beat Alonso and Vettel to the podium.

Surprise, surprise Lotus had the same quality that day. That plus I believe they are actually pretty fast in the straights. Without checking any resources I'd say Lotus usually is among the top 3 teams in terms of top speed at any event.

Hmm yeah but tyre wear is the least of anyone's worries at Monza. One-stop is just de rigeur there. Lots of time for the tyres to rest on the long straights and only Lesmo 1 and Parabolica really put them under a huge load.

#18 Elloh

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 23:19

Monaco suited the Lotus car really well and with hot temperatures forecast then could this be their weekend to shine?

Ehm Monaco suited Lotus the worst, slow corners doesnt suit the lotus at all. They said it both before the race and after. But Hungaroring doesnt have so slow corners and with hot weather they still can achieve good results.

#19 oetzi

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Posted 24 July 2012 - 23:22

I'll go for 9 in the season.

#20 aditya-now

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 01:25

Kimi @ Spa.

Very much so!

And then on to Perez, Grosjean and Schumacher. Would make the year complete.

Edited by aditya-now, 25 July 2012 - 01:26.

#21 BigCHrome

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 01:58

I'm gonna say yes. Kimi has to win a race... surely?!

He'll need to improve his performance. That's unlikely.

#22 BetaVersion

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 02:03

Unfortunately, I don't think it's gonna happen because, despite Lotus and Sauber having great race pace, they start way too low for winning a GP, on normal circunstances.

#23 Starish

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 02:15

I actually think Kimi, Schumi and Kobayashi will win this year... just a hunch.

#24 Madera

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 03:38

Just a hunch, Kimi @ Spa :wave:

Maybe even Hungary :up:

#25 aray

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 03:56

We could get up to ten with Grosjean, Schumi and Kimi all with winning potential.

i agree... :up:

#26 Vesuvius

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 06:26

if the weather will be dry at hungary, Kimi will win the race already there as they found excellent setups for the car at hockenheim to get tyres quickly up to the temperature even if it was cold so they have the qualifying speed that will be needed.

Also at spa kimi will be strong, he always has been even with bad cars and now he has a good car that will use DDRS there and it adds 6-7km/h straight line speed so it will be huge advantage.

Edited by Vesuvius, 25 July 2012 - 06:28.

#27 korzeniow

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 06:42

Unfortunately, I don't think it's gonna happen because, despite Lotus and Sauber having great race pace, they start way too low for winning a GP, on normal circunstances.

That was true in last two races, but that's because of wet qualifying. Grosjean started from second row in Australia, Spain, Monaco, and Valencia while Kimi in China and Spain. Team claims they improved their quali pace but unfortunatelly it wasn't noticeable because of wet weather on Saturdays.

#28 Vesuvius

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:04

That was true in last two races, but that's because of wet qualifying. Grosjean started from second row in Australia, Spain, Monaco, and Valencia while Kimi in China and Spain. Team claims they improved their quali pace but unfortunatelly it wasn't noticeable because of wet weather on Saturdays.

yeah sadly rain ruined their plans to show how well they have developed in quali pace but we saw Kimi's stunning Q1 lap with medium tyres and he said he could have gone even faster...and that he would been pole rather easily if the weather would have stayed dry. let's hope hungary doesn't bring the rain that was in forecast at the beginning of the week, I want to see the real pecking order of the cars in dry condition.

#29 PayasYouRace

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:25

I do hope it'll happen. With the season settling down I think it'll take some more unusual circumstances than say Maldonado in Spain but I can't rule out someone like Kimi, Grosjean, Schumacher or one of the Saubers pulling it off.

#30 SteF1an

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:29

Kimi @ Spa
Schumi @ Monza
Massa @ Sao Paulo

#31 jstrains

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:30

No it is not going to happen. Only title contenders will win again this year. No win for Lotus anymore

#32 korzeniow

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:32

No it is not going to happen. Only title contenders will win again this year. No win for Lotus anymore

Kimi is ahead of Hamilton in WDC. Or you just don't consider Hamilton as contender?

#33 jstrains

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:35

Alonso, Webber and Vettel. McLaren maybe.

#34 Pits

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:36

I'm still hoping for a Schumacher win this year.
Maybe Spa or Suzuka, alto the tracks suit Schumacher better than his car at the moment.

#35 korzeniow

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 07:54

Alonso, Webber and Vettel. McLaren maybe.

If you consider Hamilton to be WDC contender you have to consider Kimi too.

#36 george1981

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 08:05

I think one of the Lotus drivers, surprisingly Grosjean. I think he's got the pace to get on pole and then could control the race. He seems quick but lacks some race craft I think, but should be able to control a lead from the front.

#37 HuddersfieldTerrier1986

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 08:12

Lotus will win a race, but I'm not sure which driver. They really need to start qualifying better though. Got to regularly be in the top 5 in qualfying at least if they want the best chance, but with penalties, car issues, mistakes, and general lack of Saturday pace, they're being held back. If they could qualify say P3 and P4 at a race, then I'd say they have a great chance.

#38 Rob

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 08:13

I can only agree with the Kimi at Spa prediction.

#39 Andromeda

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 08:23

Kimi might win at Spa but I'm honestly expecting Ferrari and McLaren to be stronger than Red Bull and Lotus at Spa. If Kimi doesn't win it there I'm probably gonna say there wont be an 8th winner for 2012.

#40 puxanando

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 08:38

I would like to see Alonso as a 8-time winner this season!

#41 heineken2008

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 08:46

The way alonso is driving, I'd be surprised if anyone else won a GP, but . . having said that - KIMI for SPA - there is no reason whatsoever anyone could doubt that

#42 MSchumi

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 09:44

Schumacher at Spa-Francorchamps would probably be the most fitting. You know, Michael taking his 8th victory at Spa (well, officially seventh, but we all know he crossed the finish line first in commanding style in 1994, leaving aside the later sanctions against the team) and thus be the 8th winner of the season! :up:

Though that MGP W03 is really lacking race pace these days...

#43 PayasYouRace

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Posted 25 July 2012 - 09:47

A Kimi/Schumi battle for the win at Spa. Now that's what I want to see. Don't care who wins.

#44 aditya-now

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Posted 26 July 2012 - 10:39

A Kimi/Schumi battle for the win at Spa. Now that's what I want to see. Don't care who wins.

That sounds promising. With Lewis Hamilton mixing in, the threesome dicing over the last 20 laps within one second. That would be a highlight in motor racing history. Kimi eventually winning of course.

#45 aditya-now

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Posted 26 July 2012 - 10:40

I would like to see Alonso as a 8-time winner this season!

Which would bring up his tally of victories to 35 wins - nice!

#46 Jon83

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Posted 26 July 2012 - 10:44

I think it's down to either of the Lotus drivers.

I'd love to see MSC back on the top step of the podium but I just don't think the car is capable. Had he started on Pole at Monaco, I think he would have had a great chance then but wasn't to be.

As a Ferrari fan, I'd obviously like to see Massa win again.

I still think teams like Sauber and Williams could be back on the podium.

#47 UPRC

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Posted 26 July 2012 - 10:49

Kimi having a good shot at winning Spa is definitely a no brainer. I'll be shocked if he doesn't go extremely well there.

#48 4MEN

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Posted 26 July 2012 - 11:21

I would like to see Alonso as a 8-time winner this season!

I think some winners had a bit of luck with the tyres. Most of Rosbergs' races are miserable. Maldonado in Germany was more than 1 sec off pace! It would be difficult to "out-luck" Alonso now.

#49 Dunc

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Posted 26 July 2012 - 20:12

I don't thinkit's impossible but it will really depend on the circuit,car set-up and conditions being absolutely right.

I'd love to see Sauber win a race, and Kimi or Romain.

One thin worth remembering is that Force India hav always gone well at Spa, they might be a dark horse for Belgium.

#50 jj2728

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Posted 27 July 2012 - 21:32

This could be Kimi's weekend.

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Winner number eight - is it going to happen?

#1 jeze

#2 Coops3

#3 wrcva

#4 DiStefano

#5 Mackey

#6 Clatter

#7 garoidb

#8 Hippo

#9 Wander

#10 scheivlak

#11 jeze

#12 scheivlak

#13 GAZF1nut

#14 Hippo

#15 Henrik B

#16 Disgrace

#17 jeze

#18 Elloh

#19 oetzi

#20 aditya-now

#21 BigCHrome

#22 BetaVersion

#23 Starish

#24 Madera

#25 aray

#26 Vesuvius

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#28 Vesuvius

#29 PayasYouRace

#30 SteF1an

#31 jstrains

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