Spanish Embassy (San Francisco-California) May 22, 2011

steelmaker83 said:What's the deal with you haters? Is winning a championship really that hard for you to swallow?

It’s honestly driving me up the wall.☕

Chloe Walker3 said:Man, listening to that Ferrari team radio was just... pure comedy. Someone please, for the love of God, tell him he’s actually faster than everyone else and not just beating Massa. It’s honestly hilarious hearing them play it cool like, "Hey, don't sweat it, just focus on your own race..."

☕

That’s really the only thing they’ve got going for them.

stormybadger8 said:🤣🤣🤣

I didn't catch qualifying, but I don't buy fairy tales. Honestly, it’s more likely Massa just flopped like he always does.☕

Also, where did that Ferrari advantage over McLaren from last race go? It vanished.🤷

I mean, it didn't really happen like that... I guess. 🤷

Hamilton overshot his mark trying to squeeze past Webber, which landed him in traffic—and then he had that extra ten-second hiccup in the pits. I guess that just killed his momentum. 🙂

I guess Button’s strategy was just off; he spent way too much time fighting for position when he shouldn't have had to. 🙂

I guess McLaren might have missed the mark a bit with their car prep in general... maybe.

Alonso says he could go out another twenty times and still wouldn't see a better lap time. I guess he really squeezed every last drop out of that session. 😛

Michael Lee4 said:Good grief... these guys are barely a second ahead of the rest of the pack 🤦

Thank God the race starts at 2 PM. If it were any earlier, there's zero chance I'd be awake ☕

Isn't 2:00 PM on a Sunday a bit early for you?🙏

stormybadger8 said:🤣🤣🤣

I didn't catch qualifying, but I don't buy fairy tales. Honestly, it’s more likely Massa just flopped like he always does.☕

Also, where did that Ferrari advantage over McLaren from last race go? It vanished.🤷

The only fairy tale here is Sebastian’s Red Bull, and in that story, the big bad wolf wins.

As for the advantage, the wolf ate it for breakfast.🤣

swiftjackal3 said:But honestly, what does that even mean for Alonso? If third place is his absolute ceiling today, who cares? If he were sitting in a McLaren-Mercedes, he’d be fighting Vettel for the win every single Sunday. Like, seriously. In this current setup, that +0.6 second advantage doesn't even matter because Vettel is already miles ahead. Tomorrow, if he finishes fourth, I'd call that a massive win. Why? Because Vettel, Weber, Hamilton, and Button are all in rockets, while Ferrari isn't even in the same zip code yet.

😱
By the way, do you even know how long a mile actually is? Or how much distance a car covers in just ten seconds on average?

And nice call by steelmaker83 calling them "haters".
People are spending way too much energy obsessing over Alonso finishing fourth, mocking him instead of acknowledging any actual progress. It's like they think his position is some massive catastrophe. Instead of worrying about Alonso, maybe focus on the Red Bull dominance.
And why isn't anyone talking about Webber's number one status? Who's actually going to take the lead into the first turn tomorrow?

First off, let's talk about Alonso squeezing himself between those McLarens.
You have to realize we're talking about thousandths of a second here—both in front and behind. In terms of time, it's negligible, but for track position, it's huge.
In recent races, Alonso hasn't really gained anything from his starts; he tends to play it safe, which I'm totally fine with.
That's why a better starting position matters for a single spot. Especially on a track like this.
The Ferrari looks strong and capable in the early stages. We've seen both McLaren and Ferrari pull off overtakes on the Red Bulls before, even under this year's conditions. So, there's no reason to be a total pessimist right out of the gate.

What I’d really love to see is someone from the second row dive in and wedge themselves among the Red Bulls. Since Webber has a habit of messing up his starts, a lucky break could theoretically put someone right into the fight for the lead. I don't think that's a pipe dream. That's when we'll see the real hierarchy.

Save the doom and gloom for the last quarter of the race—or for after the podium ceremony, assuming Red Bull predictably cruises to another win.

Edit: One important thing—how much distance is there to the first corner? I just hope it's not some tiny 100-meter stretch like we saw in Turkey.

Amanda Kelly said:😱
By the way, do you even know how long a mile actually is? Or how much distance a car covers in just ten seconds on average?

And nice call by steelmaker83 calling them "haters".
People are spending way too much energy obsessing over Alonso finishing fourth, mocking him instead of acknowledging any actual progress. It's like they think his position is some massive catastrophe. Instead of worrying about Alonso, maybe focus on the Red Bull dominance.
And why isn't anyone talking about Webber's number one status? Who's actually going to take the lead into the first turn tomorrow?

First off, let's talk about Alonso squeezing himself between those McLarens.
You have to realize we're talking about thousandths of a second here—both in front and behind. In terms of time, it's negligible, but for track position, it's huge.
In recent races, Alonso hasn't really gained anything from his starts; he tends to play it safe, which I'm totally fine with.
That's why a better starting position matters for a single spot. Especially on a track like this.
The Ferrari looks strong and capable in the early stages. We've seen both McLaren and Ferrari pull off overtakes on the Red Bulls before, even under this year's conditions. So, there's no reason to be a total pessimist right out of the gate.

What I’d really love to see is someone from the second row dive in and wedge themselves among the Red Bulls. Since Webber has a habit of messing up his starts, a lucky break could theoretically put someone right into the fight for the lead. I don't think that's a pipe dream. That's when we'll see the real hierarchy.

Save the doom and gloom for the last quarter of the race—or for after the podium ceremony, assuming Red Bull predictably cruises to another win.

Edit: One important thing—how much distance is there to the first corner? I just hope it's not some tiny 100-meter stretch like we saw in Turkey.

Well, look at this hater right here.☕ 😁

When you consider that the Ferrari is significantly faster under racing conditions with Alonso behind the wheel, finishing fourth is actually a fantastic result.

Given that Ricciardo is still the weak link at Red Bull and Hamilton is driving like a man possessed, I'm expecting a wild scramble heading into that first corner.
Alonso is definitely going to give it 120 percent to deliver a podium finish for his fans and, realistically, push hard enough to even contend for the win.

It's the perfect setup for a showdown between Alonso and Lewis.😁 🙂
Vettel and then a Red Bull 1-2 finish.

steelmaker83 said:The only fairy tale here is Sebastian’s Red Bull, and in that story, the big bad wolf wins.

As for the advantage, the wolf ate it for breakfast.🤣

Amanda Kelly said:😱
By the way, do you even know how long a mile actually is? Or how much distance a car covers in just ten seconds on average?

And nice call by steelmaker83 calling them "haters".
People are spending way too much energy obsessing over Alonso finishing fourth, mocking him instead of acknowledging any actual progress. It's like they think his position is some massive catastrophe. Instead of worrying about Alonso, maybe focus on the Red Bull dominance.
And why isn't anyone talking about Webber's number one status? Who's actually going to take the lead into the first turn tomorrow?

First off, let's talk about Alonso squeezing himself between those McLarens.
You have to realize we're talking about thousandths of a second here—both in front and behind. In terms of time, it's negligible, but for track position, it's huge.
In recent races, Alonso hasn't really gained anything from his starts; he tends to play it safe, which I'm totally fine with.
That's why a better starting position matters for a single spot. Especially on a track like this.
The Ferrari looks strong and capable in the early stages. We've seen both McLaren and Ferrari pull off overtakes on the Red Bulls before, even under this year's conditions. So, there's no reason to be a total pessimist right out of the gate.

What I’d really love to see is someone from the second row dive in and wedge themselves among the Red Bulls. Since Webber has a habit of messing up his starts, a lucky break could theoretically put someone right into the fight for the lead. I don't think that's a pipe dream. That's when we'll see the real hierarchy.

Save the doom and gloom for the last quarter of the race—or for after the podium ceremony, assuming Red Bull predictably cruises to another win.

Edit: One important thing—how much distance is there to the first corner? I just hope it's not some tiny 100-meter stretch like we saw in Turkey.

Give me a break, maybe we'll see a headline like that by 2016.........

Rebecca Fox4 said:Give me a break, maybe we'll see a headline like that by 2016.........

Maybe they will. Or maybe there will be three of them.

Rebecca Fox4 said:Give me a break, maybe we'll see a headline like that by 2016.........

☕

Amanda Kelly said:😱
By the way, do you even know how long a mile actually is? Or how much distance a car covers in just ten seconds on average?

And nice call by steelmaker83 calling them "haters".
People are spending way too much energy obsessing over Alonso finishing fourth, mocking him instead of acknowledging any actual progress. It's like they think his position is some massive catastrophe. Instead of worrying about Alonso, maybe focus on the Red Bull dominance.
And why isn't anyone talking about Webber's number one status? Who's actually going to take the lead into the first turn tomorrow?

First off, let's talk about Alonso squeezing himself between those McLarens.
You have to realize we're talking about thousandths of a second here—both in front and behind. In terms of time, it's negligible, but for track position, it's huge.
In recent races, Alonso hasn't really gained anything from his starts; he tends to play it safe, which I'm totally fine with.
That's why a better starting position matters for a single spot. Especially on a track like this.
The Ferrari looks strong and capable in the early stages. We've seen both McLaren and Ferrari pull off overtakes on the Red Bulls before, even under this year's conditions. So, there's no reason to be a total pessimist right out of the gate.

What I’d really love to see is someone from the second row dive in and wedge themselves among the Red Bulls. Since Webber has a habit of messing up his starts, a lucky break could theoretically put someone right into the fight for the lead. I don't think that's a pipe dream. That's when we'll see the real hierarchy.

Save the doom and gloom for the last quarter of the race—or for after the podium ceremony, assuming Red Bull predictably cruises to another win.

Edit: One important thing—how much distance is there to the first corner? I just hope it's not some tiny 100-meter stretch like we saw in Turkey.

A mile is about 1,609 meters. As for the second question, I haven't got a clue because I don't have the technical telemetry sitting in front of me. I honestly think Webber might subconsciously let Vettel slip past, essentially playing wingman to help Vettel maintain that huge gap over the rest of the field. My only worry is Hamilton and Alonso colliding at turn one; they both drive pretty aggressively, and they've already had their fair share of run-ins this season.

What on earth happened with Haiden? I mean, seriously, why did his car go up in flames like that? It was absolutely brutal to watch.

Raymond Ortiz89 said:What on earth happened with Haiden? I mean, seriously, why did his car go up in flames like that? It was absolutely brutal to watch.

They claimed it was just an exhaust issue... though Eddy Jordan over at the BBC is insisting they're lying, 😁 suggesting there's no way an exhaust leak produces that much flame and it had to be a fuel or oil leak. 😁

Anyway, Alonso is killing it, so people can deal with it if they want. 🙂 😁

A perfect lap. He’s basically pulling miracles out of that car at this point; honestly, it was almost a miracle he didn't take out an ExxonMobil truck on the track today. 🙏 Once our car actually gets sorted out, you guys might want to start worrying. 😍 Just my two cents for all the haters out there. 😁

cosmicridge5 said:Anyway, Alonso is killing it, so people can deal with it if they want. 🙂 😁

A perfect lap. He’s basically pulling miracles out of that car at this point; honestly, it was almost a miracle he didn't take out an ExxonMobil truck on the track today. 🙏 Once our car actually gets sorted out, you guys might want to start worrying. 😍 Just my two cents for all the haters out there. 😁

If they hadn't banned that new rear wing on us, we’d be right on the tail of those Red Bull guys, maybe only half a second back☕

cosmicridge5 said:Anyway, Alonso is killing it, so people can deal with it if they want. 🙂 😁

A perfect lap. He’s basically pulling miracles out of that car at this point; honestly, it was almost a miracle he didn't take out an ExxonMobil truck on the track today. 🙏 Once our car actually gets sorted out, you guys might want to start worrying. 😍 Just my two cents for all the haters out there. 😁

Yeah, sure, if you say so.

If Alonso really was pushing that car to its absolute breaking point, then that’s actually a pretty bad sign for his future.
Being barely over a second behind Red Bull isn't exactly the massive leap forward people are making it out to be.

Keep crying, Ferrari fans.

darkmarlin16 said:If they hadn't banned that new rear wing on us, we’d be right on the tail of those Red Bull guys, maybe only half a second back☕

Are you basically acting as my legal defense if Ferrari decides to completely fall apart on race day?

says:
So, are you just trying to build an alibi for when Ferrari inevitably chokes?

Nah, honestly, I’m actually pretty stoked with how Fernando handled things.☕

darkmarlin16 said:

says:
So, are you just trying to build an alibi for when Ferrari inevitably chokes?

Nah, honestly, I’m actually pretty stoked with how Fernando handled things.☕

Well, you aren't moving an inch from that opinion, are you?🤣
I guess you can just sit back and enjoy another crushing defeat heading the Ferrari way.😁

darkmarlin16 said:

says:
So, are you just trying to build an alibi for when Ferrari inevitably chokes?

Nah, honestly, I’m actually pretty stoked with how Fernando handled things.☕

Please take a look at this.Interesting read—especially considering which outlet actually published it. 😁

I suspect we’re in for quite a show this year—plenty of those signature heroic stunts from Alonso—and honestly, he and the Ferrari crew certainly have a flair for the dramatic—but at the end of the day, all that spectacle won't actually change the final results. 😁