Extraordinary europe
question 1
Fernando Alonso is the first driver of the 2012 season to achieve two wins. Do you think that we will now (9 races in) start to see title challengers emerge from the pack?
@MarussiaF1Will : Yeah, I think we'll start to see repeat winners now. It was going to happen eventually but it was a case of when. I still think we'll see some new winners for the rest of the season, but no-one will start to dominate the season.
@EmTheEmu : I think we've seen that to some extent already. When you consider that it's still the 'main' drivers that are scoring the big points, e.g. Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, we'll see some clearer title contenders very soon.
@icywingsuk : I think that usual top teams will ultimately score the most points this year, but the field remains tight, and looks set to do so for the foreseeable time. There are still a couple of drivers who can win a race for the first time this year, notably the Lotus drivers, but we should now start to see other drivers winning their second wins.
@MarussiaF1Will : Yeah, I think we'll start to see repeat winners now. It was going to happen eventually but it was a case of when. I still think we'll see some new winners for the rest of the season, but no-one will start to dominate the season.
@EmTheEmu : I think we've seen that to some extent already. When you consider that it's still the 'main' drivers that are scoring the big points, e.g. Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton, we'll see some clearer title contenders very soon.
@icywingsuk : I think that usual top teams will ultimately score the most points this year, but the field remains tight, and looks set to do so for the foreseeable time. There are still a couple of drivers who can win a race for the first time this year, notably the Lotus drivers, but we should now start to see other drivers winning their second wins.
question 2
Vergne received a 10 grid drop and a fine for his incident with Heikki Kovalainen, Kamui received a 5 grid drop after his massa collision but Maldonado only received a post race 20 second time penalty for his Hamilton incident. Do you think the penalties are consistent with the result of the incidents or do you disagree with the stewards decision?
@hedgeryhoops : No not at all consistent, both incidents involved driver into an oppenent's car, I feel Maldonado got a twenty second penalty just so he would lose the points he gained in the race, where Vergne was never in that position in the first place, so a different penalty was required. If anything Maldonado's incident was a more dangerous one, as Hamilton's car became somewhat airborne, and for me a twenty second penalty doesn't suffice.
@RobLMyers : I think that by the letter of the law the stewards decisions were correct (I don't think they could have given Maldonado a 10 place grid penalty because he finished the race. If he'd retired then the 10 place grid penalty would have been available). Having said that, though, this case underlines the inconsistency in the rules yet again. Maldonado deserved a much harsher penalty than he got; he lost 1 point, but cost Hamilton 15.
@jo_johnson63 : I think Maldonado's penalty was by far too lenient. Vergne acted in a similar way and was penalised much more harshly. Stewards should also be able to take into account previous behaviour from past Grand Prix for repeat offenders (Maldonado). There is no doubting that he is fast and has the potential to be a good driver but he needs to control his temper and act more responsibly before someone is seriously injured or worse.
@DarshanChokhani : The penalties have been rather un-consistent till now in most of the races. The Vergne & Maldonado one was almost similar and such difference in penalties is somewhat shocking. Think it was too harsh on Vergne though, fine and then 10 place grid penalty, I think seconds penalty or 5 place grid penalty was enough.
@hedgeryhoops : No not at all consistent, both incidents involved driver into an oppenent's car, I feel Maldonado got a twenty second penalty just so he would lose the points he gained in the race, where Vergne was never in that position in the first place, so a different penalty was required. If anything Maldonado's incident was a more dangerous one, as Hamilton's car became somewhat airborne, and for me a twenty second penalty doesn't suffice.
@RobLMyers : I think that by the letter of the law the stewards decisions were correct (I don't think they could have given Maldonado a 10 place grid penalty because he finished the race. If he'd retired then the 10 place grid penalty would have been available). Having said that, though, this case underlines the inconsistency in the rules yet again. Maldonado deserved a much harsher penalty than he got; he lost 1 point, but cost Hamilton 15.
@jo_johnson63 : I think Maldonado's penalty was by far too lenient. Vergne acted in a similar way and was penalised much more harshly. Stewards should also be able to take into account previous behaviour from past Grand Prix for repeat offenders (Maldonado). There is no doubting that he is fast and has the potential to be a good driver but he needs to control his temper and act more responsibly before someone is seriously injured or worse.
@DarshanChokhani : The penalties have been rather un-consistent till now in most of the races. The Vergne & Maldonado one was almost similar and such difference in penalties is somewhat shocking. Think it was too harsh on Vergne though, fine and then 10 place grid penalty, I think seconds penalty or 5 place grid penalty was enough.
question 3 suggested by emthemu
Should the European Grand Prix continue from next year, where would you like it to be held and why?
@multicooldude34 : I feel a race in Valencia should definitely continue from next-year onwards whether it is known as the 'European Grand Prix' or not. Despite the race in the past being boring, the race this year was exciting and enjoyable, and should continue from next-year.
@F1_Fans_Updates : I dont think it should, even though this years race was eventful it was only because of the car failures and crashes. All in all the track is still IMO not the best.
@NigelBeechey : The European GP should move around and perhaps be at Donnington or Brands Hatch?
@TheSixYearItch : As it's the European GP it should go back to moving around like it used to and cover all of the European tracks. Valencia (before yesterday) was an atrocious race, just because yesterday's race was good doesn't mean that will continue!
@multicooldude34 : I feel a race in Valencia should definitely continue from next-year onwards whether it is known as the 'European Grand Prix' or not. Despite the race in the past being boring, the race this year was exciting and enjoyable, and should continue from next-year.
@F1_Fans_Updates : I dont think it should, even though this years race was eventful it was only because of the car failures and crashes. All in all the track is still IMO not the best.
@NigelBeechey : The European GP should move around and perhaps be at Donnington or Brands Hatch?
@TheSixYearItch : As it's the European GP it should go back to moving around like it used to and cover all of the European tracks. Valencia (before yesterday) was an atrocious race, just because yesterday's race was good doesn't mean that will continue!
bonus
Who was your driver of the day and why?
@Donz358 : Mark Webber. Whilst all eyes were on Vettel… then Grosjean… then Hamilton… he worked his way up through the pack to finish an impressive 4th position. Had we had a few more laps, I think we’d had seen him on the podium.
@ChrisJ_F1 : Alonso, easily. He dragged an inferior car from 11th to first in what can be classed as the most competitive F1 field in years. Best drive i've seen from him.
@joshbohnf1 : I don't feel anyone that finished was great, but hiekki was on for a points finish until that incedent!
@rkid84 : Michael Schumacher, finally kept his car on the track, the car also kept him on the track! and was good to see, now to move two more steps up that podium!
@GeorgeHDavies : Nico Hulkenberg. Force Indias were on it all weekend, he did a great job keeping Alonso behind early on and had no KERS which prevented him from keeping Schumi & Webber behind costing him a podium. I'm hoping for big things from him & Paul at Silverstone
@Donz358 : Mark Webber. Whilst all eyes were on Vettel… then Grosjean… then Hamilton… he worked his way up through the pack to finish an impressive 4th position. Had we had a few more laps, I think we’d had seen him on the podium.
@ChrisJ_F1 : Alonso, easily. He dragged an inferior car from 11th to first in what can be classed as the most competitive F1 field in years. Best drive i've seen from him.
@joshbohnf1 : I don't feel anyone that finished was great, but hiekki was on for a points finish until that incedent!
@rkid84 : Michael Schumacher, finally kept his car on the track, the car also kept him on the track! and was good to see, now to move two more steps up that podium!
@GeorgeHDavies : Nico Hulkenberg. Force Indias were on it all weekend, he did a great job keeping Alonso behind early on and had no KERS which prevented him from keeping Schumi & Webber behind costing him a podium. I'm hoping for big things from him & Paul at Silverstone