Motosport General discussion tread --- Formula1, MotoGP, WTCC, ETCC, DTM.....

[Dux2K]

@TrumpD. What is your outlook on Fernando Alonso's odds to finish in at least 6th place in Suzuka, and also for Stoffel Vandoorne to finish in the top 10?

This is Honda's home race, so they might try extra hard to make their team and their drivers look good for their fans.

Personally don't think that either of these two will make some different then the whole this season.
If rain falls then I would say that one of them will be in top 10.

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[cicciobtc]

No football for this weekend, the international break sucks, but it's a good thing it's race weekend! 

Will we finally see a showdown between Vettel and the young Dutchman, Verstappen?  I hope we do.  It's more exciting to see those two go at each other than to see Hamilton ease his way to the championship. 

2017 F1 Japanese GP

Friday
Practice 1   10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2   14:00 - 15:30

Saturday
Practice 3   12:00 - 13:00
Qualifying   15:00 - 16:00

Sunday
Grand Prix    14:00 - 16:00

Five Of The Best Suzuka Showdowns | Japanese Grand Prix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO1GEYNTVDg

This GP seems favorable to the Mercedes, obviously Vettel with 34 points of disadvantage is forced to win.
Here Hamilton won 3 times with 2 pole positions, while Vettel won 4 times with 4 pole positions.
The race could be wet.
I hope Vettel is able to retrieve some points in this race so we will have an end of season fought.

[bbc.reporter]

@TrumpD. What is your outlook on Fernando Alonso's odds to finish in at least 6th place in Suzuka, and also for Stoffel Vandoorne to finish in the top 10?

This is Honda's home race, so they might try extra hard to make their team and their drivers look good for their fans.

Personally don't think that either of these two will make some different then the whole this season.
If rain falls then I would say that one of them will be in top 10.

But the Honda engines are showing that some progress is happening. Have you seen the last 2 races? Fernando Alonso got unlucky but Stoffel Vandoorne is doing very well. Maybe we might see both of them finish with championship points on Sunday.

[tokeweed]

FP1 results from this morning.  This really doesn't say much and it's expected that Ferrari and Merc would be quick with RBR trailing them.  Let's see what develops on FP2 and FP3 and who finds the right balance for their car.

2017 Japanese GP FP1 Times

1 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1’29.166 23
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1’29.377 0.211 29
3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull-TAG Heuer 1’29.541 0.375 27
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1’29.638 0.472 22
5 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1’30.151 0.985 30
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull-TAG Heuer 1’30.762 1.596 26
7 Esteban Ocon Force India-Mercedes 1’30.899 1.733 22
8 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1’30.974 1.808 24
9 Romain Grosjean Haas-Ferrari 1’31.032 1.866 22
10 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren-Honda 1’31.202 2.036 24
11 Kevin Magnussen Haas-Ferrari 1’31.216 2.050 15
12 Fernando Alonso McLaren-Honda 1’31.235 2.069 19
13 Sergio Perez Force India-Mercedes 1’31.530 2.364 23
14 Lance Stroll Williams-Mercedes 1’31.602 2.436 22
15 Jolyon Palmer Renault 1’31.757 2.591 22
16 Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes 1’31.912 2.746 20
17 Carlos Sainz Jnr Toro Rosso-Renault 1’32.252 3.086 14
18 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso-Renault 1’32.501 3.335 18
19 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber-Ferrari 1’32.897 3.731 29
20 arcus Ericsson Sauber-Ferrari 1’33.397 4.231 28

Edit:  FP2 is live now.  Conditions are wet. 

[cicciobtc]

FP1 results from this morning.  This really doesn't say much and it's expected that Ferrari and Merc would be quick with RBR trailing them.  Let's see what develops on FP2 and FP3 and who finds the right balance for their car.

2017 Japanese GP FP1 Times

1 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1’29.166 23
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1’29.377 0.211 29
3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull-TAG Heuer 1’29.541 0.375 27
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1’29.638 0.472 22
5 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1’30.151 0.985 30
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull-TAG Heuer 1’30.762 1.596 26
7 Esteban Ocon Force India-Mercedes 1’30.899 1.733 22
8 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1’30.974 1.808 24
9 Romain Grosjean Haas-Ferrari 1’31.032 1.866 22
10 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren-Honda 1’31.202 2.036 24
11 Kevin Magnussen Haas-Ferrari 1’31.216 2.050 15
12 Fernando Alonso McLaren-Honda 1’31.235 2.069 19
13 Sergio Perez Force India-Mercedes 1’31.530 2.364 23
14 Lance Stroll Williams-Mercedes 1’31.602 2.436 22
15 Jolyon Palmer Renault 1’31.757 2.591 22
16 Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes 1’31.912 2.746 20
17 Carlos Sainz Jnr Toro Rosso-Renault 1’32.252 3.086 14
18 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso-Renault 1’32.501 3.335 18
19 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber-Ferrari 1’32.897 3.731 29
20 arcus Ericsson Sauber-Ferrari 1’33.397 4.231 28

Edit:  FP2 is live now.  Conditions are wet. 

Vettel and Hamilton seem very close, we hope to see a great duel in the race.
Yes, the second session was wet and only 5 cars made laps. Sainz had an accident and will have a penalty of 20 positions.

Tomorrow the third free practice session should be wet, instead the pole position should be dry.

[tokeweed]

Yup, that sucks.  FP2 times don't mean anything.  And the rain was described as a 'down pour of biblical proportions'.  That bad eh...?  Here's a pic of the Suzuka track during the rain.

[tokeweed]

Bottas topped the time sheets for FP3 but he crashed and wasn't able to finish the session.  Raikonnen's session too had ended due to a crash.  Let's all hope they get their cars ready in time for quali which is just a couple of hours away.

2017 Japanese GP FP3 Times

1 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:29.055
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:29.069 0.014
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:29.379 0.324
4 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:29.910 0.855
5 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:30.018 0.963
6 Esteban Ocon Force India 1:30.109 1.054
7 Nico Hulkenberg Renault Sport 1:30.315 1.260
8 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:30.424 1.369
9 Sergio Perez Force India 1:30.563 1.508
10 Jolyon Palmer Renault Sport 1:30.764 1.709
11 Felipe Massa Williams 1:30.764 1.709
12 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 1:30.770 1.715
13 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:30.799 1.744
14 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:30.982 1.927
15 Lance Stroll Williams 1:31.011 1.956
16 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 1:31.353 2.298
17 Romain Grosjean Haas 1:31.459 2.404
18 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:32.579 3.524
19 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber 1:32.698 3.643
20 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:33.962 4.907

[SCCFX]

Bottas topped the time sheets for FP3 but he crashed and wasn't able to finish the session.  Raikonnen's session too had ended due to a crash.  Let's all hope they get their cars ready in time for quali which is just a couple of hours away.

2017 Japanese GP FP3 Times

1 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:29.055
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:29.069 0.014
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:29.379 0.324
4 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:29.910 0.855
5 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:30.018 0.963
6 Esteban Ocon Force India 1:30.109 1.054
7 Nico Hulkenberg Renault Sport 1:30.315 1.260
8 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:30.424 1.369
9 Sergio Perez Force India 1:30.563 1.508
10 Jolyon Palmer Renault Sport 1:30.764 1.709
11 Felipe Massa Williams 1:30.764 1.709
12 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 1:30.770 1.715
13 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:30.799 1.744
14 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:30.982 1.927
15 Lance Stroll Williams 1:31.011 1.956
16 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 1:31.353 2.298
17 Romain Grosjean Haas 1:31.459 2.404
18 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:32.579 3.524
19 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber 1:32.698 3.643
20 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:33.962 4.907

sebastian vettel need pole position
if start in front row from mercedes hamilton ane vettel, i think is very dificult can win in japan series
i hope in qualifying vettel can pole position
if in japan series, vettel finish position under hamilton, i think is very dificult and small chance can win f1 world championship this season

[tokeweed]

Hamilton on pole, with Bottas second.  But due to a 5 place grid penalty for Bottas (gear box change), Vettel will then take the Finn's spot with Ricciardo and Verstappen respectively at the second row.

Should be a good race.

2017 Japanese GP Qualifying Times

1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:27.319
2 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:27.651 0.332
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:27.791 0.472
4 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:28.306 0.987
5 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:28.332 1.013
6 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:28.498 1.179
7 Esteban Ocon Force India 1:29.111 1.792
8 Sergio Perez Force India 1:29.260 1.941
9 Felipe Massa Williams 1:29.480 2.161
10 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:30.687 3.368
11 Vandoorne McLaren 1:29.778
12 Hulkenberg Renault 1:29.879
13 Magnussen Haas 1:29.972
14 Palmer Renault 1:30.022
15 Sainz Toro Rosso 1:30.413
16 Grosjean Haas 1:30.849
17 Gasly Toro Rosso 1:31.317
18 Stroll Williams 1:31.409
19 Ericsson Sauber 1:31.597
20 Wehrlein Sauber 1:31.885

[Dux2K]

Well Vettel Wilhave ggoodoopportunity to get into first pace here.
Would like to see this cuz it would b e great for championship.

[tokeweed]

^ Nope.  Ferrari's engine woes continue.  This time I think it was a busted spark plug or something.

Verstappen had a good race and finished second.  But that Mercedes engine is still the most powerful out there.  I hope the other engine manufacturers catch up next season.

2017 Japanese GP Result

1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:27.31.193
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1.211
3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 9.679
4 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 10.580
5 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 32.622
6 Esteban Ocon Force India 67.385
7 Sergio Perez Force India 70.060
8 Kevin Magnussen Haas 87.934
9 Romain Grosjean Haas 88.912
10 Felipe Massa Williams 1 LAP
11 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1 LAP
12 Jolyon Palmer Renault Sport 1 LAP
13 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 1 LAP
14 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 1 LAP
15 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber 2 LAPS

Did not finish

Stroll Williams crash
Hulkenberg Renault DRS
Ericsson Sauber crash
Vettel Ferrari engine
Sainz Toro Rosso crash

[swogerino]

Not a race with emotions. That 1.21 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton from Verstappen doesn't show anything. It was more because of the Red Bull consuming the tires much less than any other team in F1 this season. Congratulations on Lewis as I think he is already the champion of F1 with 4 races to go. Not much Vettel or anyone else can do.

[bbc.reporter]

@swogerino. Yes, this is Lewis' season once again, and I reckon he will be again next season as long as he stays with Toto Wolff and Mercedes. I reckon their dominance will continue until the new engine specifications on 2021.

By that time I hope to see Lewis back at McLaren before he retires.

[LTU_btc]

It's a bit sad to see that we almost have championship winner when there are still 4 races left. Congratulations to Lewis. Yesterday it was another great result both Red Bull drivers. In last laps Verstappen was very close to Hamilton, but he had more struggle to overtake lapped Alonso and Massa.

[cicciobtc]

Standings Drivers after 16 of 20 races:

1.Hamilton        306     gap
2.Vettel              247     -59
3.Bottas             234     -72
4.Ricciardo         192   -114
5.Raikkonen      148    -158
6.Verstappen      111   -195
7.Perez                 82    -224
8.Ocon                  65    -241
9.Sainz                  48    -258
10.Hulkenberg      34    -272
10.Massa               34    -272


Standings Teams after 16 of 20 races:

1.Mercedes    540   gap
2.Ferrari         395   -145
3.Red Bull      303 
4.Force India  147
5.Williams       66
6.Toro Rosso    52
7.Haas             43
8.Haas             42
9.McLaren        23
10.Sauber          5

Both world championships are closed, Mercedes could win them both already in the next Gp of USA in Austin on 22 october.
Ferrari at the crucial time of the season lost its reliability by compromising the world championship that it could finally win this year.

[cicciobtc]

this weekend the MotoGp is in Japan at Motegi.
I expect a balanced race with Honda(Marquez,Pedrosa), Ducati(Dovizioso,Lorenzo) and Yamaha(Vinales,Rossi) on the same level.

Dovizioso and Vinales must retrieve points on Marquez if they want to try to win the world championship.
If Marquez will also win at Motegi, he will close the games.

Rossi said he was in good shape and will aim to win the race or at least to help Vinales.

[bajing]

this weekend the MotoGp is in Japan at Motegi.
I expect a balanced race with Honda(Marquez,Pedrosa), Ducati(Dovizioso,Lorenzo) and Yamaha(Vinales,Rossi) on the same level.

Dovizioso and Vinales must retrieve points on Marquez if they want to try to win the world championship.
If Marquez will also win at Motegi, he will close the games.

Rossi said he was in good shape and will aim to win the race or at least to help Vinales.

If im not wrong now rossi is on injured so he can not race for some, if I'm not mistaken he will return to race next year or soonest before the end of this year.

[illicit]

Give credit to Dorna the rule play in create Dorna is now season 2016 is interest 8 diference rider can winner race
not dominate one team. Suzuk, Ducati competion too, i think next season will compete
2017. Ducati Lorenzo and Dovizioso, Suzuki Alex Rin and Andre Ianone. Yamaha Marc Vinales Valentino Rossi
and Honda still Marques Dani Pedrosa.

[cengsuwuei]

this weekend the MotoGp is in Japan at Motegi.
I expect a balanced race with Honda(Marquez,Pedrosa), Ducati(Dovizioso,Lorenzo) and Yamaha(Vinales,Rossi) on the same level.

Dovizioso and Vinales must retrieve points on Marquez if they want to try to win the world championship.
If Marquez will also win at Motegi, he will close the games.

Rossi said he was in good shape and will aim to win the race or at least to help Vinales.

until end season if marques without crash, i think this season marc marquez can win wold champhionship again

[cicciobtc]

fp1+fp2 Motogp top 12 times:

1 Dovizioso Ducati 1:54:877
2 Marquez Honda    +0:043
3 Espargaro Aprilia +0:184
4 Lorenzo  Ducati    +0:357
5 Zarco  Yamaha     +0:591
6 Petrucci Ducati     +0:664
7 Iannone Suzuki     +0:737
8 Pedrosa Honda     +0:896
9 Crutchlow Honda  +1:272
10 Rins Suzuki         +1:352
11  Vinales Yamaha +1:499
12  Rossi Yamaha     +1:558

wet track at Motegi! Dovizioso dominated both sessions but Marquez is very close. In troubles the yamaha, Vinales and Rossi are currently out of the top 10 with over a second gap