morganabowen

In spite of the fact that I am Alonso fan, I agree that it will be hard for him to repeat over the rest of the season I think that he will consistently finish in the top five and a few more podiums, but he himself agrees that Ferrari does not have a winning set up. I think that overall, Hamilton is the better driver but McLaren will finish one two with one being Hamilton.

Had Perez not gone off the track, he would have been breathing down Fernando's neck to the checkered flag but catching Fernando is one thing, and passing him is another. It would have been a more exciting finish. Expect to see Perez on the podium a few more times this season and in a bright red car next season

RajDatta

I think you are forgetting 2010, when Ferrari and Alonso scored the most points in 2nd 1/2 of the season. That itself is proof that Ferrari can actually develop mid-season. Will it happen this year? Not sure, depends if Ferrari decides to build a completely different suspension.
Too many things can happen. It's a long season. Neither of the top 3 teams can be discounted. The best part is, there is no domination so far like last year. I like to see the glass 1/2 full. Hopefully, there will be mixed winners all year and it will come down to the last lap of the last race, like in 2010.
I mean think about it, Vettel never lead the championship all year but won it at the last race. Who would have thought about it.

ltc

Alonso...Ferrari's modern day DaVinci
Not only the best driver, but also the best engineer as well :

Oh wait, he just copied Renault...never mind. Must have had lunch with Pat Symmonds recently

http://www.formula1.com/news/technic...2/865/948.html

Following Fernando Alonso's advice, Ferrari have introduced to the F2012 a concept used by their driver's former team, Renault, as long ago as 2001. Designed to make the rear end of the car stiffer, an arm (red arrow) has been added connecting the gearbox and chassis. Note also the oil radiator mounted on top of the gearbox and cooled by the second small inlet in the engine cover (blue arrow).

Adam@Autometrics

To detract from Alonso's performance in Malaysia is simply flawed logic.
The '12 season has been very good so far. It seems like there is the potential to be even better than '10. (I just hope McLaren doesn't step up their game and make it another '09 or '11 - even then the Hamilton/Button battle would probably be more entertaining than last season)

NJ-GT

And here is Luca's present to Alonso this week.

FGL28

Too bad one does not win the WDC by scoring more points Han others for half a season. Just like you do not win the WDC for winning the 2nd race.

chris walrod

Good for Perez! I saw talent in him last year from time to time but just couldnt ever put it all together. I am a fan and hope he continues on this path of strong top tens!

333pg333

Yech!! Wonder what he gets for losing? That's one ugly M-F of a car.
I find this car more interesting for a unique Fezz. Clapton's new Plaything.
Seems to polarize opinion. I think it's a great Nouveau Retro homage to the 512BB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=5ue30EB6io0

RajDatta

And, where did you see me say that? Please respond with my quotes. It is just bugging the crap out of you guys that Alonso is leading the WDC.

ltc

I have already declared Alonso the 2012 WDC. I have seen enough to know that Alonso can drive a donkey cart, in a blizzard, on deflated slicks, one hand tied around his back, talking on the cell phone, with no front wing while designing next year's Constructor's championship winning chassis and still beat the entire F1 grid.

I consider it a consolation prize for DV leading the 2010 WDC (where he scored the most second half season points of any driver in the history of humanity) and then choking (in a manner that would make Heimlich blush) in the last race of the season, thus gifting the WDC to Vettel (the latest in a long line of Faux F1 Champions)

However, I am looking forward to Sato returning to F1 in 2013

Land Jet

I felt the same way as you about both these cars.

fanny bay r1

Even Button doesn't consider Alonso a real threat and he's doesn't generally say things he doesn't mean!!

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/76...Alonso-Concern

ltc

Who does Jenson Button think he is?
Since when is he qualified to criticize the Greatest Driver in F1?
This will NOT go unnoticed by "you know who".

FGL28

Raj and Wayne are gonna be mad.

Button has taken what could be an awful situation and turned it into a benefit for both Lewis and himself. Lewis' attitude has gotten better since the first race in 2011. That is because of Button's attitude.

Mainly because he treats the team and co-driver as a team not like You Know Who, who thought McLaren and Hamilton was his team to do with as he wants.

I agree that Red Bull is a bigger threat that Senior Soul Patch.

I can't wait for China.

ltc

As I stated in post #145, I have already accepted DV as 2012 WDC, based on his dominance in the last race, combined with Ferrari's masterful sandbagging in the pre season and season opener.

I predict that Alonso will put his stamp on the season by winning the next 15 races, taking the last 2 off "just because".

Congratulations to the due hard Alonso RL supporters