Pick the Podium: F-1 - Suzuka, Japan

[Retroram52]

After two practices, the status quo remains the same with Mercedes dominating. First practice has Rosburg in P-1 followed by Hamilton, Alonso, and Bottas. Practice 2 has the top two positions reversed followed by Bottas. We shall see how things develop today and tomorrow.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

No competition for the Silver Bullets.

I'm smelling a Lewis victory.

 

[Retroram52]

Ricciardo crashed in one of the practices. He is having a horrific Japan Grand Prix.

 

[forty_three]

What does this news do to Vettel and Alonso's motivation this weekend?

BBC Sport - Sebastian Vettel swaps Red Bull for Ferrari, Fernando Alonso leaves

Can't say "surprised" because it's been long rumoured. But I think it's a terrible move for Vettel. Daniil Kvyat will certainly not give Ricciardo any fits from the (now very clear) number 2 seat.

 

[Retroram52]

Practice 3 has Rosberg, Hamilton, and Alonso. Qualifying has it Rosberg, Hamilton, Bottas. Alonso has good qualifying numbers but fades during the race. Vettels leaving Red Bull for Ferrari is not exactly a no-brainer. Maybe he knows something we don't but Ferrari is not exactly a bastion of superior competitiveness at this juncture. Maybe Vettel is attempting a Schumacher move with the hopes of similar dominance. Who knows?

 

[forty_three]

Looking like rain for the race, so I will go with:

Hamilton
Rosberg
Massa

 

[lakersrule]

Mercedes dominating qualifying...

Hamilton
Rosberg
Bottas

 

[IndyAndy]

What a weekend for 'silly season' news.

Can't say that I'm surprised that Vettel wants to go see if he can be Schumi 2.0 at Ferrari, but I really question if he will succeed. Will STR reconsider holding on to JEV? - Two complete rookies is quite a risk to take (though it did work out when Daniel & JEV were brought there).

Alonso back to McLaren after what happened last time? - I'm having a hard time with that one.

Since there is a real chance that this GP isn't going to happen...

My Picks:

Rosberg
Hamilton
Bottas

 

[Retroram52]

I'll take Rosberg, Hamilton, Bottas.

 

[Retroram52]

Looks like Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel for the race.

 

[IndyAndy]

Thoughts & prayers go out to Jules Bianchi.

Here's how we did:

lakersrule & forty_three: 8 points - correctly picked the top two finishers.

Retroram52 & IndyAndy; 2 points - got top two finishers out of order.

Season Totals so far:

Retroram52: 70 points
lakersrule: 68 points
forty_three: 65 points
IndyAndy: 61 points

Next Up: Russia, this upcoming weekend.

 

[Retroram52]

The Ruskies are getting involved in F-1. Frikin' Putin and his influence ought to be interesting.

 

[forty_three]

Prayers for Bianchi and the corner workers who were there.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around what exactly happened. Sutil went off first, and the long shot didn't show any trace of Bianchi's car? Was he airborne when he hit the crane?

Another epic drive from Lewis, and a surprising result from Vettel. I guess when there's no pressure, he will show that champion's heart.