Formula 1

[Greg Phillips]

Anyone surprised at the outcome of the Brazil F1 race this weekend

Another nail-biter for Lewis Hamilton with a swing of emotions in the Ferrari camp as it finally went Lewis' way and the FIA could not find a fault to correct

Any guesses on the driver lineups for next year?

Greg

PS- how about that Brazilian beer

[MR LIPP]

Here is Glock's explanation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsp ... 705641.stm


Glock helpless on Hamilton pass
Timo Glock insists he did not hand the Formula One world title to Lewis Hamilton after the Briton dramatically overtook him on the last lap in Brazil.

That pass was critical, giving Hamilton the fifth-placed finish he needed to become the youngest ever world champion in the final race of the season.

But the German told BBC Radio 5 Live his decision not to change tyres as the rain began to fall ultimately cost him.

"It was a hard race," he said. "I tried my best to get some points for Toyota."

Ferrari's Felipe Massa thought he had won the world title as he crossed the line in front of his home Brazilian fans at Sunday's Grand Prix with Hamilton in sixth.

But, in a dramatic finale mere seconds later, Hamilton overtook Glock's Toyota - slowing because he was still on dry tyres despite the falling rain in the closing laps - to clinch the fifth place he needed, and with it the driver's championship by just one point.

"Six laps from the end I asked about the tyre situation and about the weather conditions, and I said every time 'I'll stay out, one more lap, one more lap' and at the end I stayed out for the whole race," explained Glock.

As we went through that last lap, we could see Glock falling back and the predictions were we would catch him but, until we did, we were nervous to say the least
Martin Whitmarsh
McLaren chief operating officer
"That last lap just cost us the chance to be in the top five, and in the end (decided) the world championship.
"I think at the end I didn't give the title to Lewis - I think they worked for that the whole year, and Felipe as well.

"They both did a really great job all year and in the end it was a dramatic finale.

"I think it's exactly what the fans want to see - maybe the Brazilian fans are not on my side any more but I tried my best and drove my race, and in the end I can't change it."

F1 tyres have an optimum operating temperature, and when they drop below that they rapidly lose grip, which dramatically slows lap times.

The teams have GPS maps showing them the exact location of all the cars at all times and Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren's chief operating officer, said the team's computer data was telling them Hamilton would catch Glock on the final lap.

"At the end, we could see the rain coming, the pressure was building, we know how slippery and difficult it is in those conditions and we made, I think, all the right calls," he said.

"But we had to believe in ourselves that we had made the right calls, that we shouldn't have taken big risks defending against a charging Vettel, who had none of the pressure Lewis had.

606: DEBATE

taeleon
"It was super-disciplined to believe that, in not out-and-out fighting and potentially losing it with Vettel, in the course of that final lap we would catch Glock."
He added: "But it's one thing having that belief and that view. Once you get into that last lap you start to wonder if you've got it right.

"We were obviously telling Lewis throughout that what was happening so he knew he had to keep it together, not panic, not do anything dangerous with Vettel and just to do his job to catch Glock and win the world championship.

"As we went through that last lap, we could see Glock falling back and the predictions were we would catch him, but until we did, we were nervous to say the least."

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 705641.stm

Published: 2008/11/03 09:51:56 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

[Hotrod911T]

I don't know if you could say that Glock's decision to stay out on slicks really "cost" him. In another interview on the Formula 1 website, Glock said that he was in seventh when the front runners started to pit for rain tires and he decided to stay out and gain a few places hoping the rain would not be heavy. So, with the decision to stay out on the slicks, Glock finished sixth and by his own admission said that that was probably better than he would have done if he had pitted for rain tires with the other drivers.

Rod

[gulf911]

The winning driver came in 5th, barely?? What a crock.

[Gary Burch]

You have to drive to win, driving to not lose presents a number of problems. But, I thought Hamilton deserved it.
The emotion in the Ferrari pits and then the despair was priceless.

[Gary Burch]

Dan, as you can see your car is further thru the corner than mine. I am sure my wheel was still ascending when the picture was taken...

[993Panzer]

The winning driver came in 5th, barely?? What a crock.

At least Hamilton and Massa showed up for the race. Where have you been lately?

[SDGT3]

You have to drive to win, driving to not lose presents a number of problems. But, I thought Hamilton deserved it.
The emotion in the Ferrari pits and then the despair was priceless.

I agree as it relates to the driving. It's the same of the prevent defense in football -- It only prevents you from winning. McLaren and Hamilton played it too safe, IMHO.

Can you blame Ferrari, though? It looked like Hamilton had it until the rain started again and Vettel passed Hamilton to take the final point he needed to win the driver's championship. Could it happen two years in a row where Hamilton would squander a 7 point lead going into the last race? It did, until the last corner of the last lap when it would appear Timo Glock parked his Toyota long enough for Vettel and Hamilton to go by him.

Great drama.

[MR LIPP]

Hey Greg, congrats on starting another controversial thread. At least no one can complain about what I am doing while watching F1.
BTW, what's that stuff they are spraying on each other on the podium. My God, it's alcoholic. What kind of example are they giving to our children wasting all that expensive booze. Oh, I get it, it's a celebration after a hard day of racing.
I'll drink to that.

[gulf911]

Dan, as you can see your car is further thru the corner than mine. I am sure my wheel was still ascending when the picture was taken...

You are right...being further through the corner my wheel was still 'desending'...

[gulf911]

At least Hamilton and Massa showed up for the race. Where have you been lately?

I was doing OC events trying to protect the SDR honor?.... yeah, thats it...thats the ticket...

[993Panzer]

At least Hamilton and Massa showed up for the race. Where have you been lately?

I was doing OC events trying to protect the SDR honor?.... yeah, thats it...thats the ticket...

Dan,

Are you ever going to show up at an SDR event? We miss seeing the orginal Gulf car at our events. How about Buttonwillow? At least an AX at the Q. It's much more fun to give you a hard time in person than on the forum.

[gulf911]

I was signed up and registered for the last ax but somehow OCR got wind I was showing up and had it cancelled...

I am signed up for Saturday and hope to see you all there! Dave... you will be there, right?

[993Panzer]

I was signed up and registered for the last ax but somehow OCR got wind I was showing up and had it cancelled...

I am signed up for Saturday and hope to see you all there! Dave... you will be there, right?

Dan,

You can get on my case now. I won't be there this weekend. I have another event I've committed to. Be kind to me but drive fast. I'd like to see you in the top 5 when I see the results.

[MR LIPP]

Watch this slow motion replay of what really happened.