A clear picture . . .

The clock is spinning way too fast.   F1 2012 has now truly entered the home stretch and although much remains to be decided, I can't help but wonder where the latter part of the European season went, even when it evaporated right before my eyes.

I also can't help but ponder 2012's new found schizo personality . .  we've lost the crap shoot of the first seven or eight rounds to find ourselves back where we started:   Red Bull, McLaren, wondering if Ferrari can rise in answer.    Clearly everyone has finally figured out Pirelli's tricks and have returned to the annual ritual of out tweaking each other to Brazil.

Spa proved to not be much of a race this year.      Sure, I was excited to be there . . . no complaints, how can there be? . . . but even without the first corner calamity I doubt anyone had anything for McLaren.    Sans Hamilton's departure, we probably would have seen a McLaren 1-2 finish.  Thankfully everyone emerged from the first corner with all of their "attachments" in tact, living to fight another day.

I'd high hopes for Kimi as he always drives so well in Belgium, but he simply did not have the car for the job.    The Lotus-Renault has no doubt proven competitive and did initially look strong . . . but Saturday was odd and it was as if the other teams, between a single FP3 session and quali, found a pace that they could not.     Although Räikkönen survived the first corner melee, Button simply drove away from him in the race.

Given Kimi's command of the circuit, that was really saying something.  

Alonso could've wound up on the podium, and perhaps even mounted a challenge to Button, but my instincts counter that the McLaren pace could not have been matched.  

This was not the case in Monza where for all intents Fernando should have won from pole.      He was clearly quickest in FP3, Q1, and Q2.     Then came Q3.   Many suggest that the broken rear sway bar was merely a cover story . . . perhaps so . . . but from my vantage at the Prima Variante, the cause was not as clear as the immediacy in which that pole was lost.      The Ferrari struggled through the left hand exit of the chicane onto the opposite curbing.     The resulting lack of launch into the Curva Grande spelled disaster, and I wonder whether Fernando immediately backed off, knowing his day was done.

Alonso recovered on Sunday, driving a magnificent race to claim what initially looked to be a 2nd place finish.     That was until Sergio Perez served up another stunning example of how to preserve one's tires to their fullest advantage and stole the 2nd step from Fernando in what Niki Lauda later described as the drive of the race.  

Fernando still managed to leave Monza increasing his lead in the driver's title, but Singapore has since rendered that buffer merely a brief respite from his competitors who are getting quicker.

So despite all of Alonso's tenacity, despite his busting Ferrari's collective tails to haul the F2012 from obscurity, his real work begins now.  

There isn't a circuit remaining on the calendar where Alonso and Ferrari can rest.   Suzuka will prove favorable to Red Bull and McLaren, and they will be more likely suited to the heavy dose of Tilke circuits which carry us to Interlagos.

I've heard that provided Alonso can stay on the podium he'll preserve his lead and take the title, but my math does not support that theory.     Ferrari are faced with a battle they know all too well . . . a car that does not maximize tire performance.     It will be upon Ferrari's ability to respond where Alonso's much deserved third driving title will hinge.

Alonso's driven beyond the F2012 all season.  He's already merited the title in a fashion few world champions before him have.   However, his skill alone probably can't answer the rising challenge ahead.

Valencia!

Such is life, but 2012 is flashing by while throwing up challenges of greater complexity and frequency than I'm used to.      Therefore, it is somewhat a shame that I'm not free to sit back in further dissect this amazing F1 season.

This season has already produced more uncertain outcomes than the prior five or six seasons combined.     If I had more time, I'd do some serious research to back up that assessment.

The European Grand Prix at Valencia was no exception.  

Valencia looks a blast to drive . . . especially the practically flat out blind weaving back to the start/finish straight . . . but until yesterday the venue had never offered much in terms of racing.   Last year's GP was probably the most boring in recent memory.

Therefore it was very much a surprise on Sunday to be treated to the stuff from which F1 legends are drawn, and Fernando Alonso's sensational drive from 11th to an emotional victory in front of his native Spanish fans will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come.   

It's hard for me to ignore the potentially symbolic nature of the Valencia podium:     Alonso, overcome with emotion, standing between Ferrari's two most recent world champions.    This crazy season is a long way from becoming subject to internet trending but if I were a betting man I might put a small fortune on this moment.

Alonso won from midfield on this circuit aforementioned for guaranteeing lackluster racing.     He came into 2012 with a dog of a car that would confound most drivers, and has demonstrated remarkable tenacity driving beyond the car's capability and respect for his team in patiently, diligently working for improvement.      Sunday Alonso and Ferrari were rewarded.   

I found Alonso parking his somewhat revitalized F2012 in front of the grandstand and unrolling his newly gifted Spanish flag reminiscent of Senna's celebrations at Interlagos.

What makes this year's European Grand Prix so exceptional, however, is that Alonso's drive was not the only noteworthy performance on display.

Alonso benefitted from a couple of key retirements, most notably Sebastian Vettel, who in typically ho-hum fashion sped away from the front.   Whatever I personally feel for the marketing entity he drives for, I have to hand it to Vettel for remaining a driver not to be discounted.    

Romain Grosjean was also sensational, and had his Lotus Renault electrical system not packed up he might have ultimately robbed victory from Alonso.     Grosjean's path into F1 has been rocky, but his speed and fight are very real.     Despite that his 2012 has so far proven a collection of peaks and valleys, he's holding his own against Kimi Raikkonen.    If he can continue to mature and avoid some of the mistakes which have cost him, he may very well finish ahead of Kimi in the final tally.

Raikkonen put in another solid drive to 2nd.    Kimi capitalized on good fortune when Hamilton's tires went off in the closing stages, but after what happened in China that pendulum was due to swing his way.     I still find Kimi perplexing.    His flashes of brilliance are often segued by moments where it appears some young lady in the grandstands might have caught his attention.      That said, he's an amazing talent, a great benefit to the sport, and I fully expect him to provide quite a show over the remainder of the year.

It was great to see Michael Schumacher back on the podium.     Two and one half seasons following his 2010 return?     I doubt most of us thought it would take that long.      It was fantastic.   I'm hoping he finds his way one or two steps up before year's end.

Finally, a word about Hamilton.    I really have to feel for the guy.      He has been thwarted by his own crew at some point in practically every GP this year.      I'm not anti-McLaren, but when it comes to how passionately and fervently many McLaren fans lash out at Ferrari, I can only laugh at their calamitous pit stops.  

I lost respect for Hamilton several years ago because he'd spend more time on the radio yelling at his team than driving the car.     The irony is that if he were doing that now I'd probably back him up!    LOL

Regarding his clash with Maldonado, I laugh at claims that Hamilton was an innocent victim of an overly aggressive overtaking attempt.     Hamilton was not t-boned.    Much to the contrary, he drove over Maldonado's wheel as result of an ill conceived attempt to squeeze Pastor and protect his position.     The accident was a racing incident, nothing more, with both drivers carrying equal blame.

All in all an absolutely fantastic European Grand Prix . . . and we've much to look forward to as the circus now moves to the core of the European season and some of the fastest, most fabled circuits on the calendar.

  

Misc thoughts on Monaco

Monaco

As usual, I'm very much looking forward to Monaco.    I'm glad world titles aren't ultimately decided there, but the F1 mecca certainly encompasses everything that is F1: the glamour of the Mediterranean,  cars sliding around impossibly tight corners, and dozens of internet posts about  . . . you guessed it . . . a general lack of overtaking.

When I think back over the memorable moments Monaco has provided  . . . Niki Lauda's remarkable recovery from a puncture to finish 2nd in an era when a single pit stop virtually assured one's doom . . . the nose to gearbox fight between Senna and Mansell for victory in the closing laps of '92 . . . I relish the potential these insanely tight, winding, steeply rising and falling streets have to surprise and astonish.

Perhaps then Monaco transcends annual regulation tinkering and is more about history and anticipation than the latest debate du jour.    It is a spectacle . . . one that I hope to experience very much in person one day.

Spain

Fernando Alonso's start and fight to steal the lead into turn 1 was one of the most inspired displays of raw talent I have seen in a long time.     Given Alonso's knowledge that his car could not keep pace with Red Bull and McLaren on the extremely technical Catalan circuit, I find his fighting spirit rare indeed.    There is no doubt in my mind that he is the best.    Ferrari have their man, and I can only hope that they will provide him with a capable car soon.

Barcelona certainly appeared less chaotic than the prior two Grands Prix.    I'm guessing that this is because Pirelli served up a more stable compound?    Thoughts?  

Where O' where has Kimi Raikkonen gone?

I watched my very first NASCAR Truck race . . . well let's be honest, I fast forwarded through it.    That just about sums up anything that I have to offer on the topic.

Cheers

my tower is wobbling . . .

Thought I'd highlight this morning's post from The Axis

This additional article  . . . if true . . . only further confuses me.     Wha . . . ?

I remain completely baffled.    It's tough being a closed minded elitist these days . . .

Mystery man to NASCAR?

Kimi Raikkonen marches to his own engine map, no matter how far off tune it may be from what most expect and where those who appreciate his innate skill prefer.

I was alerted to this report in Autoweek by a good friend and often sparring partner in the business of comprehending the sensationally talented yet mysterious Finn.   Proven accurate it would be the latest in a series of puzzling turns in a career which has seen more chicanes than Hermann Tilke's dreamscape. 

Take a look at this feature from Motors TV WRC coverage from Portugal (make sure to catch the clip's closing flyby . . . Whoa!):

Kimi in Portugal

Raikkonen struggled with consistent pace in last year's WRC campaign.    He was quick but crashed a lot, sometimes heavily.    In the two events he's competed this year, he's demonstrated remarkable maturity and appears poised to exploit his driving skill to the fullest.

I submit that it would be a shame to see him shift focus to another very different form of motor sport at a time when he seems to be getting a handle on the lessons of the prior 14 months.