F1 Spa weekend GP

[yellowperil]

2nd practice on TV right now (0800) eastern. P1 didn't reveal anything new, yet. See what the day brings. Hope the Merc battle continues.

[livi]

Looking forward to it. Magnificent track.

[strupgolf]

Yes, a beautiful track. If any track needed the sounds of the past years cars it was this one. The screams of those engines through the forest was unreal, and IMO, the best thing about the sport, except for all the close racing and finishes.

[Don Plumley]

I so look forward to going to Spa one day...

[cairns]

I so look forward to going to Spa one day...

Me too. Been on my bucket list for a long time now......

[Craig T]

I went to Spa in 2009 (Great surprise victory by Kimi over favored Hamilton). It is truly a beautiful track and beautiful country side. I agree with strupgolf regarding the sound. The track is so heavily wooded that you can't see much of it from your seats. The old sound coming through the forest from cars you can't see is surreal. Also, sparks flying at the bottom of the straight before Eau Rouge.

The new sound diminishes the whole experience for sure.

[Ray 911s]

I've been several times to the track and attended the F1 last year. It is worth whatever effort and expense you need to expend to get there.



It didn't make the broadcast, but the Greenpeace demonstrations against Shell last year were impressive. Misguided, but impressive.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Ray 911s

I've been several times to the track and attended the F1 last year. It is worth whatever effort and expense you need to expend to get there.



It didn't make the broadcast, but the Greenpeace demonstrations against Shell last year were impressive. Misguided, but impressive.

+1 If you do one F1 race in your life, it should be Spa.

[yellowperil]

Rain is forecast for tomorrow's quali and maybe race too. This corner may separate
the men from the boys, especially in the wet. Even though it's been said to be easier and mostly flat out these days.

[nostatic]

so happy the summer break is over. We'll be watching practice tonight...

[Ray 911s]

Rain is ALWAYS in the forecast in Spa. If it is not, don't believe the forecast. The interesting part is when it is raining on one section of the track but dry on another.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

Rain is forecast for tomorrow's quali and maybe race too. This corner may separate
the men from the boys, especially in the wet. Even though it's been said to be easier and mostly flat out these days.

Yah, Eau Rouge has some serious pucker factor. They are at full speed by the time they get there. I believe its the fastest corner in the F1 season.

The veiw of Eau Rouge from my seats

[yellowperil]

The veiw of Eau Rouge from my seats

[/QUOTE]

You are a lucky dog., nice view.!

[yellowperil]

Interesting final practice, wet/drying. Quali should be good. Very close at the top.

From "could do nothing wrong" last year to poster-boy for bad luck this year, Vettel
can't get a break. Whatever bad is going to happen to Red Bull, seems to happen to his car/team. Strange, how the mighty have fallen.

[Craig T]

Great qualifying by Nico. I'm convinced now that he's the smarter strategist, and maybe even better driver of the two. He sat comfortably behind Lewis in practice and early qualifying, then throws down a hot lap before Hamilton in Q3. Hamilton has made mistakes when put under that pressure in the past.

It is amazing how Redbull went from such total dominance to this. Attendance and interest in F1 was starting to wane after 4 years of Vettel dominance. The FIA knew what they were doing when they made such drastic changes to the cars. Unfortunately, now Mercedes is even more dominant the Redbull. 2 second advantage in a wet qualifying??? Without the Lewis vs Nico rivalry, it would be just as boring as last year, only without a great sounding car.

Vettel's problem (other than mechanical issues) is the new torque. Data shows he's always been earlier on the throttle out of turns. In these turbo cars, that just means wheel spin...but he's starting to adjust. He'll end up being the best of the rest. ...Although I was cheering for Ricciardo. How can you not like that guy.

[livi]

Yes, I am really finding Ricciardo to be my new favorite. Meanwhile, it is almost embarrassing to be Swede..

[javadog]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

This corner may separate the men from the boys, especially in the wet. Even though it's been said to be easier and mostly flat out these days.

According to a quote from Button, mentioned in the qualifying broadast today, it seems a litle tougher than in recent years. Don't forget that the cars are faster in a straight line, now. Button judged it a just barely flat now, in the dry. With oversteer on the way through...

JR

[jsveb]

I really hope that Kevin magnusson will prevail in this race, no accidents, no mech, just racing.

[regency]

F-1 used to be my favorite. Haven't seen one race this year, I have U-verse.

1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by regency

F-1 used to be my favorite. Haven't seen one race this year, I have U-verse.
Steve

Um, I have U-Verse. The only reason I keep it is to record F1.

Or you can bittorrent it easily enough.