2013 Chinese Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (April 12-14)

stormybadger8 said:Don't lose hope. By the end of the season, McLaren will be back in the top 3 teams. 😁
They'll fix everything you're worried about pretty damn fast. 🙂

I just don't see Ferrari making the top 3. Personally, I think they'll finish no higher than 5th.

Just dropping some intel from yours truly, as always:

Track characteristics

Indianapolis Motor Speedway; 5.45 kilometers. Race distance: 56 laps = 305 kilometers, 16 corners in total, featuring a mix of slow, medium, and fast turns.

Aerodynamic setup – Medium/high downforce. Top speed 200 miles/h (with DRS enabled on the rear wing) – 193 miles/h without.

Full throttle – 55% of the lap. Total fuel needed for race distance : 326 lbs.

Time spent braking: 14% of the lap. 8 braking zones. Brake wear : Medium.

Time lost during a Pit stop = 17.5 seconds
Total time needed for pit stop: 21 seconds.

Fuel Effect (cost in lap time per 10kg of fuel carried): 0.34 seconds (average). Fuel consumption: 2.55 kg/lap

Tires: medium and soft (one set used this season). The unique thing about this track is the higher wear on the front tires, and temperatures will likely be similar to what we saw in the USA (18-20 C).
Strategy tends to favor those going for two stops, though they might find themselves under pressure from three-stoppers in the closing laps.
Experience suggests that if you opt for more frequent stops, it pays off—and it looks like pit stops here are a bit quicker too.
Probability of an SC: 43 %.
Overall, it feels like Lotus could be strong in the race again, and maybe even Ferrari can snag something.
Qualifying outlook, as usual: RBR, MERC/FER, LOT.

Extra notes:

Mark Webber has a fresh haircut😁:

🙂

Look... I won't bore you all with more Red Bull nonsense

but

😳

I’ve said this before, but honestly? I truly believe this was supposed to be the year for Egal
everything seems to point in that direction

the only real blunder—at least in my book—was how they completely misjudged Vettel's temperament
but it’ll be an exciting finish, I'm certain of it. Let's just enjoy the ride, it doesn't matter 😁

neonfox65 said:5/5

But why not?🤷
Is there actually anything stopping me from rooting for Massa?
Is there some rule saying I have to pick one driver over the other in the same team—like I'm some kid?
I root for Kimi, Hülkenberg, and Adrian Sutil too... is that an issue?🤷

I know you usually stick with Vettel, but hey—didn't realize you were a fan of others too.

5 = Fernando Alonso 😵😕

Anyway, let's go Felipe Massa!👋😁

stormybadger8 said:5 = Fernando Alonso 😵😕

Anyway, let's go Felipe Massa!👋😁

Alright, then you explain to me what on earth that 5/5 was supposed to mean...

neonfox65 said:Alright, then you explain to me what on earth that 5/5 was supposed to mean...

Just let it go. Why are you even entertaining his low blows? It's obvious he just can't handle seeing the kid grow up to be a little brat—which, frankly, is exactly what a champion should be. Now he’s just grasping at straws, trying some cheap diversion tactics to shift the attention.

neonfox65 said:Alright, then you explain to me what on earth that 5/5 was supposed to mean...

I mean, Massine had an incredible qualifying session, giving us some real hope he can keep this momentum going through race five.😁
I put some money on Massu, and if he keeps playing like this, I might actually make a decent profit.😍

stormybadger8 said:I mean, Massine had an incredible qualifying session, giving us some real hope he can keep this momentum going through race five.😁
I put some money on Massu, and if he keeps playing like this, I might actually make a decent profit.😍

Count me in. Seriously.
If Massu pulls off a win, my luck would be pretty incredible.
And if you end up making some cash on top of that? Even better.

stormybadger8 said:I mean, Massine had an incredible qualifying session, giving us some real hope he can keep this momentum going through race five.😁
I put some money on Massu, and if he keeps playing like this, I might actually make a decent profit.😍

Compare them to Alonso and they're basically on the same level.

neonfox65 said:Compare them to Alonso and they're basically on the same level.

I'm not out here comparing anyone to anyone else. I'm just pulling for Felipe Massa.😁
Oh, so I’m a hater just because I pull for Felipe Massa? Brilliant. Real genius move there.👍

Amanda Kelly Asks:
I'm with you on this one. Seriously.
If Felipe Massa actually pulls off a win, I’d be more than just lucky—I'd be legendary.
And if you manage to make a little extra cash on the side while you're at it? Even better.

Look, if Felipe Massa ends up beating Fernando Alonso in qualifying by the end of the season—and actually cracks the top 5 in the standings—I won't just win my bet, I'll hit the jackpot.😁

Who cares if Felipe Massa ends up with a better qualifying score when points are being split during the race anyway?

I’m not out here comparing anyone—I just root for Massu.
Well, according to you, I only root for Massu because I'm a hater... genius move right there.

It’s not even about that—it’s more that you constantly group his wins in with Alonso's.

neonfox65 said:Who cares if Felipe Massa ends up with a better qualifying score when points are being split during the race anyway?

I’m not out here comparing anyone—I just root for Massu.
Well, according to you, I only root for Massu because I'm a hater... genius move right there.

It’s not even about that—it’s more that you constantly group his wins in with Alonso's.

I mean, who else is he supposed to compare his qualifying times to if not his own teammate?🤦

Maybe it’s gotta be with Quing Hua-...?

He's just keeping the maestro on a leash so he doesn't start dreaming about throwing in the towel again 😠

We're taking this one, 1-2.

wiredcanyon39 said:He's just keeping the maestro on a leash so he doesn't start dreaming about throwing in the towel again 😠

Honestly, it’d be much better if he spent those nights dreaming about quitting that absolute fraud who snatched the win last race.

stormybadger8 said:I'm bringing up Alonso.😵🙂
Straight up, no BS.🤣

And why not?🤷
Is there actually any reason to still root for Massa?
Is there actually a reason I have to root for both drivers on the same team, or am I just being a total kid about it?
I’m rooting for Kimi Räikkönen, Nico Hülkenberg, and Adrian Sutil. Is that a problem?🤷

Don't even get me started on Nico Hülkenberg🙂

stormybadger8 said:I mean, who else is he supposed to compare his qualifying times to if not his own teammate?🤦

So you're pulling for Sebastian Vettel AND Logan Sargeant? My bad—totally misunderstood where you stood on that...

Seriously though—what kind of fan even roots for Ferrari and Fernando Alonso while showing zero respect for anyone else on the grid?

I'm rooting for Fernando Alonso. As for Massa—not really my guy, to be honest...

Who on earth was being such a menace to Felipe Massa during today's second practice? He was absolutely driving him crazy