Is it only me who thought it was going to be about all important and interesting events during the race?

http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=James_Allen&id=44254

It's pretty accurate really. Although Hamilton will not get a new engine at China AND Brazil.

It is. What point are you making?

There is nothing about 2nd and 3rd place. And their fight. Everything said from English point of view.

I hate to break it to you but ITV is British.

ITV's been doing that all year, this isn't anything new!

Well, Autosport/BB too.
Though both have probably higher ambitions.

By an Englishman quick fetch Holmes I can't fathom this one

he can actually-he gets a new engine for china,and still has his 'joker' engine change,so should he choose to,he can have a new engine in brazil as well without penalty

For some reason a free engine change is not allowed in Brazil

That rule is just another part of the big conspiracy, isn't that obvious?

It would be nice that upon reaching the the final race, all those which can still win the title (if it's not wrapped up) should be given a fresh engine

Really? For a sportsman, let alone an Englishman, he was rather polite to Massa. I'd say that was written from a Brazilian point of view.

Why not? Isn't he due a new one in China or is Allen wrong there?

Can't use the joker for the last race.

From the article Mr. Allen:


Very good, deep genius analysis.

It hurts me to say this, but I thought Allen's call of the Japanese GP was his best ever. Fair and unbiased.

Really? How stupid is that.

What?

Well, what were you expecting? He doesn't have access to Renault's engine data, or the car's technical specifications, or a windtunnel, or setup info. And Renault aren't exactly going around telling everyone precisely what they've found.

strange u cant use the joker at the last race

"hey pat, whats in this cardboard box?, its labeled 6/10 FA"

I've used to regard JA as a complete dork. Then I started to read these columns every once in a while.
Most often the content of his writings is completely different from his live commentating antics.

The "someone else" you're mentioning is his other persona, hidden and held captive during the actual races.

Time for the "James Allen Liberation Front"

Yes I've noticed this very much, Allen is an extremely polished journalist with very good insight and opinion through his experience and knowledge.
He's a terrible commentator but i'll give him full credit for where it is due.

But selective although "ITV Sport commentator James Allen analyses all the key performances".
Seeing the title I expected to read comments covering more events, not only those negative and related to LH.
Apart from Alonso's win not much more positive episodes are mentioned.
E.g. one of the most exciting moments when Kimi was fighting Kubica.
Kubica 2nd, rather not expected, Kimi 3rd after several races without points. Piquet 4th on merits. LH overlapping Fernando.
There was certainly more stories than just those important for LHWDC.

But, as Allen said "There is so much to talk about from this race, it’s hard to know where to start." It was also hard not to get lost.

From Allen's summary, try to guess who was on podium.

No it itsn't. No analysis, not even speculation. Just filler words. If Renault go back to 'normal' pace at next race they would have mysteriously 'lost' this mechanical or aerodynamic advantage?

Not being able to use your engine joker at the last race.

He pointed out the surprising facts of the race: Hamilton's error of judgment, Massa's retaliatory new persona, Alonso's new coming, Mercedes's problems with engines, and the current level of punishments, which seem almost arbitrary. All those are relevant for the next races and the outcome of the championship: Hamilton seems unsettled, Massa is not to be frightened by him – this could be explosive. Alonso's form and truly impeccable race after a season in a bad car that surprisingly turned good: he may get in the way of the two probable champions. Mercedes's problems with engines is also bound to affect the WDC outcome. The penalties are becoming too frequent, and this is also a problem in future races.

It seemed a good analysis.

You just confirm what I said, LHWDC verdict, not Japanese GP verdict.

No, you may take the LH part out (WDC and not LHWDC; and a verdict can't be issued before a WC is crowned). It just happens that LH is the top contender.

"Joker"... Is this a card game or F1?

Wouldn't surprise me. James Allen spent the entire race suggesting Hamilton could finish behind both Ferraris in the last races and win the title with his 7 point lead. 3rd at China = 4 points dropped, 3rd at Brazil = 4 points dropped, = 8 points. Either I misunderstood what he meant or the guy needs a calculator.

McLaren should have changed the engine on Sunday. Then he had 2 races (Japan, China) and then a new engine for Brazil. No idea why they've not used the chance to give him more HP in the final race. Then again nothing McLaren does these days seems to make sense.

Not really, the intent of the rule isn't to give someone a HP boost for the last race just because they hadn't needed the joker all season. Still, it would suck big time if a driver blew up an engine in practice and had to take a grid drop when their team hadn't used their joker during the season.

McLaren would be aware of the rule though and as pry said could have chosen to use a new engine in Japan if they had wanted. Maybe it is seen as a risk to the teams to use a new engine when they know how the engine went the previous race?

What is the point in using the joker when they may actually need it for the second to last race.
Seems like the people accusing McLaren of not thinking need hypocrite lessons.

As for James Allens Verdict, I do find that his written work is far superior to his commentary. It's on par with Martin Brundle's written work, and far better than 'professional' writers like Peter Windsor with his self important style.
He was also a great pitlane commentator, far better than Ted. Ted seems to get excited and not actually engage his brain before he speaks.
Anyhow Allen tends to be a very good writer, I highly recommend his book on Schumi.

yeah, the downside is if youve made it that far without needing a engine change, your penalised for your reliability. the last race shouldnt be different from any other :/

just a curious question, when they used heiki's joker, they said the engine would probably be fine, but small risk so they change... say his next engine goes pop, can they put in teh potentialy dodgy one and not get a penalty?

Has Allen lost all his mind? Since when on Earth has car exiting the pits right of way? Indicated how? By blue light at the end of pitlane?

Come on...

Ditto his last book on Schumacher, "The edge of greatness".

Don't see anything wrong with it to be honest - was surprised at how much I agreed with him throughout the article. Another case of people looking for smoke without a fire, I suppose...

I would imagine that the rule had something to do with the dangerous pit-exit in singapore. The cars were coming back onto the track on the racing line near the apex of the turn.

And that makes perfect sense for Singapore but for Japan? As said elsewhere I would like to see confirmation that Whiting did indeed say that for the Japanese GP.

I was talking about his commentary for ITV during the race. Normally he is such a Lewis-phile, but during the Japan GP he was balanced, he spoke of Lewis' mistakes in a more candid manner than he had previously.

This article was also a good, albeit short, summary of the main factors in the race.

As far as I understand it's impossible to change an engine without penalty only during GP weekend, but you can change it before.

No, McLaren changed Heikki's engine before qualifying in Singapore

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70910

I was speeking about last GP. I wonder if it's possible to change engine just before Brazilian GP and not receive a penalty?

No