F1

[gareth_oau]

if Alonso finishes 1st or 2nd he will win the championship with 271 or 264 points.

Mark can score a max of 261 points, so will win only if he finishes 1st and alonso is 3rd, with both finishes 1st 5 times and mark winning on a 2nd place countback.

maximum vettel can score is 256 points, so if alonso finishes 4th or better he will beat vettel. if alonso finished 5th the they would both have 256 points, but vettel would win, but using down to a 7th place countback (yes, its that close!)

sooo, if alonso is equal to or lower than 5th during the race, then vettel will go for a win finishes with 256 points, so even if mark came 2nd, mark would end up with 251 points and runner up in the chanpionship.

so for mark to win, he must finish 1st AND alonso 3rd or lower

but if alonso is running 4th or 3rd, then vettel should "let" webber win for an RBR driver world champion

[GOLFBALLS]

Such an awesome championship this year, aussie contender or not!
What time is it on? Some us perth guys should watch it somewhere?? Maybe a bar ?

[seangti]

Such an awesome championship this year, aussie contender or not!
What time is it on? Some us perth guys should watch it somewhere?? Maybe a bar ?

Agreed about the championship, should be worth watching qualifying regardless of the time.

[VR28LT]

Boy, Webber was a tad off the pace in practice... hope he pulls the big guns out and puts that RB on pole !

[GOLFBALLS]

man what a poor qualifying effort
He's had no real pace and looks a bit mystified by Sebs speed by the way he keeps peering at the data on the monitors.
He's got his work cut out tomorrow!

[VR28LT]

man what a poor qualifying effort
He's had no real pace and looks a bit mystified by Sebs speed by the way he keeps peering at the data on the monitors.
He's got his work cut out tomorrow!

i must say a very poor effort
Webber had no answer for Vettels speed.... looked like the longer Vettel stayed out there the quicker he was going !
not sure what Webber has left up his sleeve but its not looking promising .

[goodfella]

Is webber running a fresh engine or is it tired and he's just saving it?

my money is on an early pit and long second stint, that way he has a cleaner run thru the race hopefully with no backmarkers holding him up in the tight bits, and low # of safety cars.

[Tim]

Is webber running a fresh engine or is it tired and he's just saving it?

my money is on an early pit and long second stint, that way he has a cleaner run thru the race hopefully with no backmarkers holding him up in the tight bits, and low # of safety cars.

webber used his last fresh engine in the previous race. Its the one that had overheating problems. From what I understand they were going to use it on friday practice and then slot in a "good" used engine they had on the shelf.

[ozgti]

What time is it on in NSW?

[VR28LT]

Its about 2 start now dude.... C'mon Webber

[Bizi]

Restart! What is Hamilton & Vettel doing before restart?

[type 17]

Poor Mark, Congratulations Sebastian, Well Done Redbull!! Sucked in everybody else.

Next Year, Watch out for Kubica, Those Pol's don't let people walk all over them

[gareth_oau]

congrats to Vettel - dont like his sore-losing attitude, but he was the best driver this year and the stats show it. He's been building up to this climax now for quite a few races.

Looking forward to next year with adjustable rear wings and KERS

[gerhard]

Vettel - "All of us can write a book about races where we should have finished in higher positions"

That's a pretty good summary of almost every F1 year - whether it's a spark plug, a puncture, an engine blowup, stupid crash, etc, etc.

Unfortunately I couldn't watch the race, but I was very surprised this morning to discover Seb had triumphed.

Mark was nowhere when the pressure was really on. I'm thankful that Alonso didn't win after the team orders gave him a hollow victory.

I agree that Seb was the best driver this year, he had probably more than his fair share of bad luck, and an equal share of "brain fade" moments. Most of all a blistering performance in qualifying and in the race when it really mattered.

I think we'll see him take more titles in future, but as always in F1, it's no use being the fastest driver if you are in the wrong car.

[flyingfridge]

I am sad but a rightful victory. What a great season