2008 FORMULA 1™ Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix

[JoostLamers]

The next races think Ferrari will use Raikkonen to mess it up for Hamilton some way ^^

That's what I expect too, that would be the real Ferrari style

[JoostLamers]

We're going to have a dry race! The only day with chance of rain is saturday, but that's only 30%. Temperatures will be around 24-25 degrees celsius. And every day will be sunny. Source: a Dutch sport site

[blizzard]

The next races think Ferrari will use Raikkonen to mess it up for Hamilton some way ^^

That's what I expect too, that would be the real Ferrari style

This thread is heading the "Spa-Franchochamps" way!

Why can´t you guys stop provoking each other, by insulting each others favourite teams.
I´m sick of reading all these insults on Ferrari in every second race thread.

Criticism is appreciated, I criticed Ferrari quite heaviliy after Singapore, but it was for obvious reasons and not just "a shot into the blue".

I ask you in all friendship, could you please stop to insult Ferrari in every second post? I like the team very much and it bothers me quite a lot to read all these insults. I can only speak for myself, but I have stopped to insult McLaren after Spa, where a couple of you guys reported me to the mods and even the admin. So I have myself under control, I thought you would do the same. Well unfortunately that seems not to be the case.

If this doesn´t stop I´m not going to read the Grand Prix threads anymore, nore post in them.

thx for your appreciation

[iceman1]

Fuji is a very painful track for the engines due to the long straight and the quiet high downforce(for corners).

New updates for Ferrari at Fuji

Historically, the Japanese Grand Prix has been a successful hunting ground for Ferrari, as the team has won almost a third of all F1 world championship races held in the Land of the Rising Sun, with seven victories, all at Suzuka, dating back to Gerhard Berger's victory in 1987.

Last year's race in Fuji got off on the wrong foot for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, with both its drivers relegated to the last two positions, effectively ruining the team's chances. The race began behind the Safety Car because of the torrential rain that had in fact blighted most of the weekend. The FIA declared the race would start behind the SC, with the obligation for all cars to be fitted with the "extreme wet weather" tyre; a decision which had not been made clear to Ferrari and after the opening lap, the team was told to pit both cars to change tyres. Despite this setback, Kimi Raikkonen finished on the podium in third place, with Felipe Massa also in the points in sixth, which was not a bad result considering the difficult opening moments. On the Friday last year, with a dry track, the Scuderia's car was competitive, especially over a long run. Given that this year's F2008 has proved to be competitive at all circuits, these two factors give cause for optimism about the coming weekend, whatever the conditions. Latest forecasts predict that, while there is a strong possibility of rain on Saturday, race day should be mainly dry.

"As I said in Singapore immediately after the night race there, our target in Japan and also in the final two races will be to come away with maximum points," said Team Principal of the Gestione Sportiva, Stefano Domenicali. "It is a simple statement but also a very difficult task! However, we have the potential to achieve this goal and we believe we can do it. Our stated objective of winning both titles was rendered more difficult after the result of the last race where, apart from the complication of dealing with the first Safety Car period, we did not help ourselves with the mistake made during Felipe's pit stop. We still believe that our "traffic light" system used for releasing the drivers from the pits does bring a performance advantage, something we have seen on a couple of occasions this season when it's use has allowed us to gain a place in pit lane. It is a good system that still has potential. However, for the rest of this season, in the light of recent events, we have decided to revert to a conventional "lollipop" for telling the driver when it is clear for him to go. This decision has been taken purely to give the pit crew maximum confidence at the time of the pit stops. Pit stops are always a tense moment and with the fight for the championships so finely balanced that will be even more the case over these last few races. Therefore, we do not need to put our guys under any more strain than necessary. The pit stop personnel remain unchanged from the line-up used in Singapore."

The F2008 will feature some new updates in Fuji, which constitute the latest development parts and also the final update for this season, as the car will run to the same specification in China and Brazil. These developments were given their final track sign-off during an aero test in Vairano last week, having previously been evaluated at the last test in Mugello. Both Kimi and Felipe have stayed out in the Far East since the last race and on Wednesday they will both be in Tokyo, taking part, alongside their McLaren-Mercedes counterparts, in a press conference organised by Bridgestone.

[JoFo]

I saw this, and was like WTF

What do you think about the new tyres.



http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/ ... /8487.html
http://www.f1technical.net/news/10700?s ... 5836e1ef39

[AzShadow]

The farce thing is not a fact, but your point of view so please respect others' opinions too and don't do any unnecessary provocations. Thanks.

[JoostLamers]

The farce thing is not a fact, but your point of view so please respect others' opinions too and don't do any unnecessary provocations. Thanks.

If you would have read my previous post properly, you would have seen that it is not my point of view, it's a fact. You want a name? Okay: the only person who spoke to Hamilton himself after the race, before he got his penalty was Alan Donelly. He is the chairman of the racestewards. So the 3 race stewards gave the penalty to Hamilton without having spoken with Hamilton!!! We was robbed!! (the sun )

[JoostLamers]

The 2 title contenders about their chances in the final 3 races (very short )
Lewis Hamilton: "I feel a lot stronger this year compared to last year. 3 races left and we'll try anything to keep the lead."
Felipe Massa: "We're 7 points down now, but there are still 30 points in the competition. I will fight till the last lap of the last race."

[Fergie1]

Its different to say the least.

[AzShadow]

No matter how nice it might look like, the green stripes on the tyres don't make it any more environmentally friendly, though.

[phil1993]

Weather Update: Sprinkles on Saturday, sunny and warm for the rest of the weekend

[kimi and mika]

The 2 title contenders about their chances in the final 3 races (very short )
Lewis Hamilton: "I feel a lot stronger this year compared to last year. 3 races left and we'll try anything to keep the lead."
Felipe Massa: "We're 7 points down now, but there are still 30 points in the competition. I will fight till the last lap of the last race."

Hamilton tried everything last year, that's why he lost, he needs to aim behind massa (If he's leading) but before Kimi (which will be tough if he's on form, he could be infront of Massa!)

I think the green tyre idea is rubbish, is it just for Fuji?

Even if Kimi said it was a good idea (he was probbaly made to), are people going to go, wow green tyres, this must be a green sport!

[syncmaster]

Can't wait for the Qualifying and the Race

[JoostLamers]

Can't wait for the Qualifying and the Race

yeah!! Bring it on!! i'm going out of my bed to see FP2

[swca92]

I think that the green tyres thing is ridiculous.Getting F1 to promote environmental issues is hypocritical and laughable.Although I see why it has been done it will become a joke,like Honda's earth car last year.If your a new viewer to F1 and the commentator says "The tyres are green to promote environmental issues" you'd think how can F1 do that when they're damaging the environment severely themselves?...