F1 2011 - Italy, Autodromo di Monza

Something something McLaren topping first practice.

[Phlashman]

LOL,

Yeah they look good. Going to totally miss the race and quali though as I have family stuff on. So weekend of avoiding the result ahead for me.

Hamilton has been quoted at saying his main target now for the season is to finish ahead of Button. He's never finished 2nd to a team mate in his F1 career.

That's true! Barring any major fuck-ups, I see no reason for him not to beat Button; Lewis is better than Jenson.

I can see Button going to Red Bull next season, if Webber does end up leaving.

Webber signed a 1 year extension a few weeks back. No-one's moving anywhere.

Webber signed a 1 year extension a few weeks back. No-one's moving anywhere.

I missed that. I'm glad he's staying. He believes he should Red Bulls no1, hopefully he'll keep up the push to do so. I like it when he and Vettel go head to head during a race, usually means Hamilton or Button come out better off.

Vettel has always been Red Bulls number 1, he fits their image and agenda perfectly.

Hamilton looked good today, hopefully he can win. He should beat Button in the championship. Button is good and brings it home, but Hamilton is the faster driver. He just has to finish races!

Finger boy on pole again. Hate him.

Hopefully Hamilton & Button can finish one-two tomorrow. I really don't like Vettel.

I'm indifferent toward him (apart from when he does the finger). He's clearly a world class driver.

edit: I'm keen to see what Senna can do with that spare set for fresh tyres he saved by not going out in Q3. I would dearly love to see Bruno in a championship worthy car. He's the first foreigner I've ever supported in F1. It's somewhat ironic, considering when his uncle was racing I always considered him the 'bad guy' who was always beating Mansell and then Hill.

Vettel is really fast but I don't think he's the complete package. I'm sure that will come in time, but it's clear this year that he's had the best car and got to grips with the Pirelli's right away when Webber struggled.

I still believe Alonso is the best driver on the grid. Lewis Hamilton has been worse this year than he was in his rookie year, on and off the track, but he is probably the outright fastest man on the grid.

I think everyone wants Senna to do well. He achieved great things on the way to F1, but who's going to look good in a HRT?

Hopefully a McLaren can get past Vettel at the beginning and we'll see who's got the pace then.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94453

News on possible ratio strategies from other drivers. Sounds as though Vettel has gone short which should be the best strategy for speed without DRS. However if he has to use DRS or is under attack then he may well struggle.

Well, I think Vettel showed the doubters that he can race.

So anyway, I have some Vettel statistics for you.

-If each of the 22 drivers who have taken part in any race this season in any car other than a Red Bull, McLaren or Ferrari were to pool their points, they would still be 1 point behind Vettel.

-Vettek has 87.4% of the maximum points on offer so far this season.

-If Vettel gets no points for the entire remainder of the season, based on others' performance to date, he would still win the Championship by 17 points. His closest contender would be Alonso on a projected 267 points.

And Finally

-If Vettel hadn't taken part at all this season, meaning that everybody behind him gained a position in every race, based on performance to date, Hamilton's projected points after the full 19 races still would not beat the number of points Vettel has managed to accumulate in 13 races.

It's certainly impressive stats, but stats aren't that exciting. I don't mind Vettel winning but he's had no competition from anyone, not even his team mate in the same car!