****Brazilian Grand Prix**** (contains spoilers)

[suffolk009]

The penultimate race from Interlagos in Brazil.

Sky TV UK times (show - track)

FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER
Practice 1 11:45 12:00
Practice 2 15:45 16:00

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER
Practice 3 12:45 13:00
Qualifying 15:00 16:00

SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER
Grand Prix 14:30 16:00


For what it's worth, my predictions:

Qually:Ros > Ham > Bot
Race:Ham > Bot > Ric

[Jasandjules]

It is so nice to only have a week to wait.

I find it fascinating that whilst Nico seems to pull out the perfect pole lap, Lewis races that much better, his tyres and fuel wear being lower.

[IainT]

Jasandjules said:

I find it fascinating that whilst Nico seems to pull out the perfect pole lap, Lewis races that much better, his tyres and fuel wear being lower.

Both tyre wear and fuel usage seemed a lot closer in Austin than usual - bigger gap on tyres once Lewis had his wing tweaked.

I can see us continue the pattern of Nico qualifying strongly and Lewis out-racing him. Seems to me that Nico places more emphasis on qualy setup and Lewis on race pace being confident he can pass Nico on circuit. Whatever nico is doing though it's not working so tim eto change strategy and go for a better race setup? What is overtaking like at Interlagos though?

[Jimmm]

There are a few decent spots to overtake at Interlagos turns 1, 8 and 10. Though I think from Lewis's point of view Interlagos is a much riskier track than Abu Dhabi for wheel to wheel action the last thing he needs is to get punted off. Play it safe at Interlagos and then go for it in Abu Dhabi if needed.

[scubadude]

It seems that whatever happens its going to be all down to the final race (due to idiotic points system), Lewis and Nico just need to finish in Brazil in their usual positions (1st & 2nd either way around)

My wife suggested it'd be nice to Massa to win though, which it would, however unlikely, although Bottas has a chance I'd wager.

Question- If Lewis wins Brazil, which is possible and loses the WDC with 11 wins to 5 is Nico going to forever be seen as "that bloke what won due to Bernie's silly points year" rather than a true World Champion? If I where him it would be in the back of my mind I think.

[Jasandjules]

scubadude said:

Question- If Lewis wins Brazil, which is possible and loses the WDC with 11 wins to 5 is Nico going to forever be seen as "that bloke what won due to Bernie's silly points year" rather than a true World Champion? If I where him it would be in the back of my mind I think.

Yep. It will be a tainted WDC for that and for Monaco and Spa.

[Rick_1138]

Jasandjules said:

Yep. It will be a tainted WDC for that and for Monaco and Spa.

Saying he did Spa on purpose is a bit daft, how many times have we seen that happn, and if any driver (who cannot see that part of their car) can plan on cutting a rivals tyre, you need to up your tin foil levels on your head.

Monacco was stupid if it was on purpose and I don't disagree it looked dodgy, however moaning that he only won due to double points, is like moaning that his car didn't break as much as lewis did, its the season they race in that finishes with the most points, as it always has, its like when folk say Jenson want a 'true' champion, he won fair and square as everyone else did and at the end of the day its their name on the trophy and history books.

I think its Lewis's to lose now, and much as I would like to see NR win his first championship, I wont be that bothered if LH wins it, but if it comes down to the last few points then it doesn't matter if its a one year only points system, its what they have to work with.

[Gad-Westy]

scubadude said:

Question- If Lewis wins Brazil, which is possible and loses the WDC with 11 wins to 5 is Nico going to forever be seen as "that bloke what won due to Bernie's silly points year" rather than a true World Champion? If I where him it would be in the back of my mind I think.

The thought had crossed my mind. It does seem it would be something of a tainted world championship though I don't know if that will be a wildly held view or just the view of British supporters, I suspect the former. Equally, there was some talk on here of a possible gentleman's agreement where Nico ensured that Lewis won the title in the last race. I think that is the last thing Lewis would want. I would assume that either of them would want a 'clean' title but I could be wrong.

We are nearly passed the point of no return now, the only way Nico could win the title fair and square is if Lewis DNF's in Brazil and Nico wins, turning the last race effectively into a shoot out with the winner taking all and double points becoming irrelevant (at least for those two).

It's a real shame this situation because it's been a great season but this whole double points thing seems to be casting quite a cloud particularly now we are down to the last couple of races. Roll on Brazil though. Good track capable of producing some great action. A proper F1 venue.

[DanielSan]

I can see Massa getting a podium here. He goes well at his home race, and it's something I'd like to see.

[vescaegg]

scubadude said:

Question- If Lewis wins Brazil, which is possible and loses the WDC with 11 wins to 5 is Nico going to forever be seen as "that bloke what won due to Bernie's silly points year" rather than a true World Champion? If I where him it would be in the back of my mind I think.

Yes it would be tainted in my opinion and it must be in the back of his mind now.

And frankly, the fact that Nico can DNF at Brazil with Lewis winning and still beat Lewis by 1 point if the opposite happens at Abu Dhabi is fking ludicrous.

Im not sure if I can handle watching Interlagos. Lewis seems to have such a ridiculous race every time there! 2007 will be right at the front of his mind.

Bernie is a knob.

[Jasandjules]

Rick_1138 said:

Saying he did Spa on purpose is a bit daft, how many times have we seen that happn, and if any driver (who cannot see that part of their car) can plan on cutting a rivals tyre, you need to up your tin foil levels on your head.

It was Nico who said it.

[McClure]

1 Nico, 2 Lewis, 3 Danny Ric.

Lewis has never gone well at Brazil, so Nico will win the Merc race and Ric will be best of the rest as usual.

[Europa1]

McClure said:

1 Nico, 2 Lewis, 3 Danny Ric.

Lewis has never gone well at Brazil, so Nico will win the Merc race and Ric will be best of the rest as usual.

He's gone well plenty of times - leading in 2012[I think that was the year] until he was nerfed off by one of the Force Indias. As the poster above said, it's finishing well that he has sometimes struggled with.

[Mini1275]

Lewis also came from 17th to finish 3rd in 2009.

[CharlesAL]

Lewis has won at a few tracks this year which may previously have been considered 'bogey' tracks. Bahrain, Malaysia, Spain. If he's going to carry on like he has since summer I don't see why he can't take a first win in Brazil too.

[RichB]

The Crack Fox said:

ash73 said:

Bit of a bogey track for Lewis... Nico to win, Lewis to spin off in the rain - all square for the final race!

Yeah, I'd go for that.

I wouldn't I'd rather see Hamilton carry on his domination and win his eleventh race of the season. And that is indeed my prediction. Hopefully Ricciardo and Jensen (or a Williams) will get on the podium too.

[Crafty_]

I've just looked at half a dozen or so forecasts and all but one predict rain for Sunday, some predict rain through most of the weekend, even thunderstorms for Friday/Saturday. So, quite likely a wet race and/or wet qualifying.

I see no reason why Lewis won't continue his form, Nico too.

The more interesting thing is what happens behind them. Can Bottas get back to showing stronger race pace? Can Massa keep his end up (so to speak) for a podium (crap pitstop in Texas cost him). Force India have a 24 points deficit to McLaren, can Vettel do a couple of races for RBR in style with a fresh engine? Will Alonso beat him to 5th in the WDC (currently equal on 149 points).

7 place penalty for Perez after his dive bomb on Sutil.

ETA: If you aren't aware the track has undergone some changes, not least a new pitlane entrance. This has been done to separate the racing line from the pit entry which was always a bit dangerous.



More pics here: http://imgur.com/a/yjbYq#0 and http://www.autodromodeinterlagos.com.br/wp1/conhec...

Edited by Crafty_ on Monday 3rd November 20:59

[BritishRacinGrin]

Pit entry looks like an improvement to me, although I think we can still expect to see drivers putting 3.9 tyres on the wrong side of the white line...

[Matt_N]

One of my favourite circuits, will treat myself to a few Brahmas for the afternoon viewing.

[anonymous-user]

What is stopping someone straight lining the white line chicane in the pit lane entry?