The F1 2012 season so far: BBC F1 TV and 5 live pundits' view
The F1 2012
season so far: BBC F1 TV and 5 live pundits' view
Formula 1 is having the season of its 62-year life. After a
record-breaking seven different winners in the first seven races, fans and
pundits alike are trying to take stock of a sport that seems to change on an
almost daily basis.
So who better to ask about what is arguably one of the greatest seasons
in motorsport history than the very team who travel around the world with the
F1 circus?
We put six key questions to the BBC F1 TV and BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1
teams to try to fathom where this season is going - and, most crucially, who
will win out in the end.
Best team?
BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan: "Lotus. They have come back from
near extinction to fight for wins - arguably they should have had some - and
they have both cars fighting for the wins."
BBC F1 technical analyst Gary Anderson: "Williams. They have
improved the most on their dismal 2011 performance and with a couple of
stronger drivers to back up the team they would be right at the front."
BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey: "I think Lotus. They have designed
a car that is quick everywhere, they've had the foresight to bring Kimi
Raikkonen back to F1, and rightly saw that Romain Grosjean was deserving of a
second crack at F1. All they lack is a win!"
BBC F1 commentator Ben Edwards: "All the teams have dropped the
ball at some point, but perhaps Red Bull less so than others. The car continues
to improve, and four pole positions in eight races is impressive."
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie: "As they were on course to
win their third race at the weekend, I will say Red Bull."
BBC Radio 5 live F1 commentator James Allen: "A tough one to start
with! Red Bull is the car to beat now; it was McLaren early in the season, but
they didn't take full advantage. Lotus has really impressed me this year
too."
BBC Radio 5 live F1 pit-lane reporter Jennie Gow: "Lotus. They are
the most improved this season. You feel as if they are not too far away from
making a huge impact on the sport and, in Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean,
they have two very talented and exciting drivers."
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Best Driver: Alonso. E alguém duvidaria disso!?! rs |
Best driver?
Gary Anderson: "Fernando Alonso. This year has confirmed his talent
at being able to grab a situation that would be out of most drivers' reach and
bring home a result that the car does not deserve."
Ben Edwards: "Alonso. Both of his wins in Malaysia and Valencia
have depended on talent, skill, judgement and self-discipline. Brilliant."
James Allen: "No doubt about this one. It has to be Alonso. He's
leading the championship in a car that has no right to be there. It's getting
better, but at the start of the year no-one would have given you tuppence for
his chances of leading at this stage. He's really raised his game this
year."
Jake Humphrey: "No question. Alonso. The only thing I'm unsure
about with Fernando is whether he's the best currently, or the best ever. He is
aggressive, smart, brave and incredibly consistent. The other 23 on the grid
could all learn something from him."
Jennie Gow: "I never expected to say this but again, Fernando
Alonso. I thought his drive in Malaysia (where he won) was a lot to do with
luck and good fortune but actually, having seen him win in Valencia he is the
most skilful driver I think I have ever seen with my own eyes on a track."
Best race?
Eddie Jordan: "Valencia - it had everything. Mark Webber's drive
from 19th to fourth; Sebastian Vettel retiring from the lead after an imperious
drive; Pastor Maldonado taking Lewis Hamilton out right at the end of the race,
Michael Schumacher's first podium after his comeback. Entertaining and
surprising."
Ben Edwards: "Difficult to call but I'll go for Valencia as it had
a bit of everything - great overtakes, the drama of breakdowns, spectacular
accidents and Michael Schumacher's podium."
Jake Humphrey: "Remarkably, Valencia. I never thought I'd say that,
but I've had many texts and emails from people saying it was the best race
they'd ever seen. Cars retiring, Webber's remarkable drive through the field,
Lewis's late crash and Fernando's emotional win... an amazing afternoon."
Lee McKenzie: "Who would imagine Valencia would be considered along
with Malaysia? But I will say Valencia for the drama."
Jennie Gow: "Valencia. For what has become a notoriously 'boring'
circuit with almost no overtaking chances, we saw ducking, diving, highs and
lows. It had it all. Even team personnel who have been in the paddock for
30-plus years said it was one of the best ever."
Best single moment?
Eddie Jordan: "Maldonado being caught by Alonso in the closing
stages of the race in Barcelona but pulling away from him to win Williams's
first victory for eight years."
Lee McKenzie: "Maldonado winning in Barcelona but closely followed
by Schumacher's pole that never was in Monaco."
Jake Humphrey: "The moment Maldonado crossed the line in Barcelona
to, finally, give Williams another win. I spent time on the Saturday chatting
to Frank Williams and he was hopeful, if not confident, that Pastor could turn
pole to a win. However, it was sheer domination from a much-loved team."
James Allen: "Probably Barcelona and Williams winning a race again
after seven years. It was great to see the team back on form, even if the
celebration was spoiled by a pit fire after the race."
Who's been a disappointment?
Eddie Jordan: "Jenson Button, Felipe Massa, and all three of the
back teams - Caterham, HRT and Marussia."
Gary Anderson: "Button and Massa. If you look at their best time of
each race weekend and average it over the first eight races for each of these
drivers compared with their respective team mates, they are both over 0.5
seconds slower, not good enough if you are to challenge for the constructors'
championship."
Jake Humphrey: "Button. If he hadn't won in Australia his season
would look utterly dreadful at this point. It's not good enough, and his
McLaren team and the fans need him to pick it up. I really like him and would
love to see him win his first British GP this weekend."
Ben Edwards: "Jean Eric Vergne. A very gifted driver who made
himself look like an amateur in Valencia."
Lee McKenzie: "Button should be challenging for the title. At the
moment that looks unlikely."
James Allen: "Button, clearly. Tipped by many for champion this
year, he's scored only six points in the last five races - only 13% of the
points scored by team-mate Hamilton and only 8% of Alonso's tally from those
five."
Jennie Gow: "Massa. He has had a torrid time ever since his crash
in Hungary 2009 and I feel it's a real shame that he can't seem to compete at
the same level these days. His results in Monaco and Canada were great to see
but I fear this could be his last season in F1. I hope he can turn it around
and at least finish the year on a high."
Who will win drivers' and team titles?
Gary Anderson: "Vettel and Red Bull. After a slow start, I am
afraid to say that Vettel and Red Bull are now finding their feet and
unfortunately that is not good news for the other teams."
Jake Humphrey: "Hamilton. He would be the outright leader if the
team were better at rewarding his efforts and talent. I have huge confidence in
McLaren's ability to develop the car, and Lewis should exploit that."
Ben Edwards: "I'm sticking with my pre-season tip of Hamilton, but
McLaren need to up their game. Red Bull for constructors."
Lee MacKenzie: "Alonso and Red Bull."
James Allen: "Vettel will win the drivers' championship and McLaren
will win the constructors."
Jennie Gow: "Red Bull Racing. I fear their development will be too
good for any of the other teams to keep up with. However, Alonso seems the man
most likely to win the drivers' championship to me. He has been phenomenal this
season and the only driver to finish in the points in all the races so far this
year.
**
Alonso e Valência... sem mais! hahaha
E há quem ainda me fale que nós, alonsistas, é que estamos dizendo que Alonso guia um carro ruim para somente valorizá-lo. Só rindo mesmo... rs
Está aí uma BOA RESPOSTA! hehehe
Pelo que foi apresentado até agora, não há piloto no grid que mereça mais este título que Alonso... não há! Mas na vida as coisas não funcionam assim...
Bjus, Tati
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