[emmiller]

Is there any news on the Japanese Grand Prix being affected with the tragic events that have unfolded?

Martin

[Joe Pineapples]

Originally Posted by emmiller

Is there any news on the Japanese Grand Prix being affected with the tragic events that have unfolded?

Martin

Good point. Yes I know a bit crass to be thinking of minor effects like this, but I do hope not, not after having lost one already, and especially one like Suzuka.

[HMHB]

I've not seen anything about whether this race will be affected or not but it doesn't take place until October. Suzuka is quite a bit South from where the major problems are.

[Citizen J]

Originally Posted by Steven

On a more serious note having read up just now on world news I don't think it would be conscionable for F1 to return to Bahrain. I know you have to talk about the independence of sport from politics but you cannot ignore something like the killing of civilians

Indeed, the situation has got a lot worse since the race was called off last month. Bernie did say the race will be rescheduled and it is simply a postponement but it isn’t totally ridiculous to predict the postponement altering to a cancellation.

I agree with notion that sport should be kept out of politics as much as possible but like you stated the ongoing troubles there cannot be ignored (IMO).

[hdsport]

For those who are wanting some motorsport as well as Moto GP it's the start of the ALMS with the 12 hours of Sebring.

New broadcast deal this year means it's not (live) on TV but it is streamed online on ESPN3 in the US and on the ALMS website for the rest of us.

American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron 2011

(starts 10:30am EST/14:30 GMT)

[tapzilla2k]

Originally Posted by benhaha85

As for Vettel, when he starts at the front he's pretty much unstoppable but I've yet to see anything to convince me that he can overtake. The two incidents with Button and Webber instantly come to mind. I think he'd struggle in a car that wasn't the fastest in the field. Alonso may be a **** but you can't deny that he is a massive talent.

That'll be his big test for this season - overtaking properly, I think it'll be harder for one driver to lead a race with the sort of gap we've had in previous seasons purely due to the tyre wear and other factors (Kers/Moveable wings/Rain). I'm not entirely convinced Vettel can overtake without bashing into other drivers as his attitude is "Get outta my way" and seems to get vexed when the other driver doesn't move out of his way, which leads to Crash Bang Wallop Time. I expect we shall see more fireworks from Vettel and Webber this year.

I think the problem with Alonso is that his desire to win makes him say some rather silly things and act like a spoiled 2 year old when things don't go his way. But he is an awesomely talented driver, F1 would be poorer without him. I've seen Alonso up close in Oxford (he used to live in the city) with a gaggle of models around him, he looked utterly miserable.

As for Japan ? I believe the Moto GP race was pushed back to October, so depending on how things go in Japan (infrastructure, nuclear issues) the Grand Prix will probably go ahead as scheduled.

[Steven]

They're saying the new tyres will result in minimum 3/4 stop strategies so I don't think it will longer be possible for RBR to fall back on quali pace and then stretch out a lead during the race for the mandatory one stop no longer. Which should result in a more compact field. Dunno, I'm just guestimating

On another note I really hope Hamilton and Button fight it out near the front to shut the haters up. Saying that I have Alonso and Webber in my fantasy team

[scanz]

Originally Posted by Steven

They're saying the new tyres will result in minimum 3/4 stop strategies so I don't think it will longer be possible for RBR to fall back on quali pace and then stretch out a lead during the race for the mandatory one stop no longer. Which should result in a more compact field. Dunno, I'm just guestimating

On another note I really hope Hamilton and Button fight it out near the front to shut the haters up. Saying that I have Alonso and Webber in my fantasy team

Yeah the amount of stops they are predicting is interesting, could possibly see some new race winners.

I hope so too, Lewis is my number 1 driver in my fantasy team!

[John]

http://www.avforums.com/forums/sport...australia.html