Massa hasn't been on top all weekend, so I see mo reason to predict him somehow coming out in front. Hamilton and Alonso have been the top drivers this weekend, and Button came out ahead of Massa in both practice and qualifying. I predict Massa won't find himself in either of the top two positions except maybe briefly when a McLaren pits first, and I would be a little surprised if he scores a podium because I sort of suspect Alonso will finish ahead of Massa, with or without team orders.
I think the track suites Massa. I seem to remember that he ran reasonably high up the order last year, before having a problem or a dodgy pit stop or something
Will McLaren let Button and Hamilton race at the start? That first chicane could spell disaster, just glad Grosjean ain't there. He would probably fly right through it.
They'll likely have a gentleman's agreement - the first one to the corner gets the corner. They're both intelligent enough (at least when they're on the track) and they know that any funny business could spell disaster for both their drivers' championship and McLaren's constructors' championship campaigns.
They'll likely have a gentleman's agreement - the first one to the corner gets the corner. They're both intelligent enough (at least when they're on the track) and they know that any funny business could spell disaster for both their drivers' championship and McLaren's constructors' championship campaigns.
Jenson is a very clever driver, he knows when to go for it and when to let someone through. If Hamilton is ahead going into the first corner I doubt he'll try anything aggressive, I remember when they were fighting in Turkey 2010 Jenson was very easy on Lewis. I just hope Lewis has a good start so we can have a clean first corner.
I've also noticed Alonso is getting a share of bad luck now. Jeez, if people would jinx Alonso the same way they'd wish for world peace, there'd be no more conflict in this world!
I think he'll have a good race because he is one of the most consistent drivers in the field, he and the Ferrari look fast here and I don't think they are lacking in terms of straight line speed.
I don't know if this is worth its own thread or not as he isn't the biggest superstar in F1 but Pedro de la Rosa has reached 100 Grand Prix this weekend.
I for one love Pedro's constant smile and passion to get in a race car. Its the same as with Barrichello - you know he's happy just to be in an F1 car, let alone actually be fast in one.
An interesting little Gran Turismo-related side as well is that Pedro along with Michael Krumm and Masami Kageyama are the ones that drove this car to success in the JGTC.
Jensen locks his a lot when he is told to really push. Especially with the big braking zones here at Monza I don't think there'll a single drive who doesn't lock up at least 10 times.
The front tyre locking is down to the McLaren cars requiring a bit of a stiffer suspension setup and the lock-ups don't really do any damage to the tyres. I think the case of Hamilton being too hard on the tyres is about as true as Vettel not knowing how to overtake.
The front tyre locking is down to the McLaren cars requiring a bit of a stiffer suspension setup and the lock-ups don't really do any damage to the tyres. I think the case of Hamilton being too hard on the tyres is about as true as Vettel not knowing how to overtake.
Strangely, it seems like a bcak and forth thing. If the car is well dialled-in, Button seem to manage the tires better. If the car is unruly, Hamilton seems to do the job.
