Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to The Pit Lane. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Spa Predictions
Topic Started: Sep 4 2008, 10:06 AM (394 Views)
Rams
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
I'm going to be brave and predict a win for Hamilton this weekend - the conditions look to be challenging, even if it doesn't rain the cold temperatures (around 15 deg..!) will surely hurt Ferrari. Also Bridgestone are bring the hardest compounds they have, a step harder than last year so I can see Hamilton having less trouble bringing his tyres up to temperature and starting ahead of the Ferraris.

I also expect the STRs to be like rockets around Spa. The RB4 is great at fast speed corners, and with that Ferrari engine in the back they could surprise a few people.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alien_SAP_Fiend
Member Avatar
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
It will be very close between the top three. It's a Ferrari circuuit, but the cold weather and harder tyres should help the Maccas. I expect Alonso to do well, Glock, Trulli, Kubica, Heidfeld, Heikki....
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bear
Member Avatar
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Much might depend on how the weather is on Saturday for the quali ... someone could sneak in a good lap at the right time and upset the normal scheme of things.

On the basis of the last couple of races, I have to go for Massa ... so long as it isn't chucking it down and so long as his engine holds.

If it rains, it could be anyone's race. Lewis would start as fave though.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Red Andy
Member Avatar

Moderator
As long as it stays dry, Ferrari will have the upper hand, however given that it is expected to be cooler, they will not be as far ahead of McLaren as perhaps expected. Possibly 1. Kimi, 2. Hamilton, 3. Massa?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bear
Member Avatar
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Red Andy,Sep 4 2008
11:25 AM
As long as it stays dry, Ferrari will have the upper hand, however given that it is expected to be cooler, they will not be as far ahead of McLaren as perhaps expected. Possibly 1. Kimi, 2. Hamilton, 3. Massa?

Massa has outpaced Lewis and Kimi for the last couple of races. Why do you think he'll finish behind them this time round? Isn't the recent run of form with him?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
mrr9
Refueller
[ *  *  * ]
I bet Honda to be stone last

Mark
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Red Andy
Member Avatar

Moderator
Bear,Sep 4 2008
12:58 PM
Red Andy,Sep 4 2008
11:25 AM
As long as it stays dry, Ferrari will have the upper hand, however given that it is expected to be cooler, they will not be as far ahead of McLaren as perhaps expected. Possibly 1. Kimi, 2. Hamilton, 3. Massa?

Massa has outpaced Lewis and Kimi for the last couple of races. Why do you think he'll finish behind them this time round? Isn't the recent run of form with him?

Yes, but Kimi has always gone well at Spa and is just about driving to save his shot at the championship - if he loses out to Massa again, Ferrari will most likely back Felipe for the rest of the year. Moreover Spa has an unusually long lap, so Kimi will likely have fewer issues in getting the tyres up to temperature in qualifying - as such, he will probably qualify better and therefore have a better race. And even if he does qualify poorly, it is possible to overtake at Spa so he has a better chance of making something from a poor grid position.

Ferrari's advantage over McLaren at the Hungaroring and Valencia was at least partly down to the high temperatures, which mask the fact that the Ferrari has problems getting heat into its front tyres quickly. If it is cooler at Spa, as widely suspected, the gap between McLaren and Ferrari will be reduced, possibly giving Hamilton the edge over Massa.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rob
Member Avatar

Admin
Rams,Sep 4 2008
05:06 AM
I'm going to be brave and predict a win for Hamilton this weekend - the conditions look to be challenging, even if it doesn't rain the cold temperatures (around 15 deg..!) will surely hurt Ferrari. Also Bridgestone are bring the hardest compounds they have, a step harder than last year so I can see Hamilton having less trouble bringing his tyres up to temperature and starting ahead of the Ferraris.


Brave would be predicting Button to win. <thumbsup>

It most likely will be Lewis leading Massa. Bridgestone are bringing the hardest two compounds, so Kimi will be 4th-6th, but will probably get the fastest lap, 43 <hitwall>
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bear
Member Avatar
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Red Andy,Sep 4 2008
01:42 PM
Bear,Sep 4 2008
12:58 PM
Red Andy,Sep 4 2008
11:25 AM
As long as it stays dry, Ferrari will have the upper hand, however given that it is expected to be cooler, they will not be as far ahead of McLaren as perhaps expected. Possibly 1. Kimi, 2. Hamilton, 3. Massa?

Massa has outpaced Lewis and Kimi for the last couple of races. Why do you think he'll finish behind them this time round? Isn't the recent run of form with him?

Yes, but Kimi has always gone well at Spa and is just about driving to save his shot at the championship - if he loses out to Massa again, Ferrari will most likely back Felipe for the rest of the year. Moreover Spa has an unusually long lap, so Kimi will likely have fewer issues in getting the tyres up to temperature in qualifying - as such, he will probably qualify better and therefore have a better race. And even if he does qualify poorly, it is possible to overtake at Spa so he has a better chance of making something from a poor grid position.

Ferrari's advantage over McLaren at the Hungaroring and Valencia was at least partly down to the high temperatures, which mask the fact that the Ferrari has problems getting heat into its front tyres quickly. If it is cooler at Spa, as widely suspected, the gap between McLaren and Ferrari will be reduced, possibly giving Hamilton the edge over Massa.

Thanks for the reasoning.... interesting reading.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
RJHSaints
Member Avatar
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
I think it will probably be a Hamilton win too. If it's dry and quite warm then both Ferraris would also be in with a shot, but if it rains I can only back Lewis.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
AndyW76
Member Avatar
Team Boss
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I'm just hoping for a wet race, which isn't unheard of in Belgium. If it isn't I'll run over there and piss on the track. <roflmao>
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Red Andy
Member Avatar

Moderator
Given that the circuit is 7km long, you must have an exceptionally large bladder. <yikes>
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rams
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
I doubt the race will be wet, last year's dry race was desperately poor. I don't forsee much excitement, unless qualifying turns out to be wet and we get a mixed up grid.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Red Andy
Member Avatar

Moderator
The other potential point of interest is that pit entry: last year lots of drivers and teams suggested that it was too narrow for the speeds at which cars would be approaching it, but in actuality there were no incidents. I wonder whether those concerns will be raised again this year, and if they will prove to be grounded in reality this time?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rams
Chief Engineer
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Yes, that is true.

You know F1 is in trouble when the pit-lane entrance holds the best chance of creating any drama... <roflmao>
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Formula 1 · Next Topic »
Add Reply