I don't think they were consistently in different cars. I remember Hamilton tested the double diffuser first.

 

I don't think they were consistently in different cars. I remember Hamilton tested the double diffuser first.
[/quote]
All the tasty new upgrades JIT for the race weekend went to Hamilton only.

And have a look at the bad luck Heikki had in 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heikki_Kovalainen

 

Gotta say if the Merc engine is as strong as is being predicted next year Williams could be a real wildcard.

The form they've found dropping using the exhaust for downforce and what will be a reasonably strong driver lineup I think they may be nipping at the top teams heals.

 

Is there any evidence of JIT upgrades going to Hamilton only? McLaren have been well known for giving drivers equal equipment. Does that mean Alonso received all the upgrades first in 2007?

These comments from the wiki page indicate that he was slower than Hamilton because of driving style:
[sup][/sup]

What's bad luck got to do with your point?

 

It's a few years back but once the double deck diffuser was deemed legal I do remember Hamilton testing it first in China. Can't remember if they both got it for the race, but Kovalainen out qualified and raced him there so they either both got it or it or the first attempt didn't help the car.


Back to today though having not driven competitively for nearly a year, and not in a top car since 2009 he really did him self proud. Grosjean is a quick driver, over one lap I suspect on Hamilton/Vettels level, being within a sniff of his time deserves a lot of credit.

I think on a 1 stop strategy Grosjean could be looking at his first race win.

 

Merc is blowing its rears out all year and been hearing the new v6s are less aggressive on the rears.
Here's hoping next year mixes it up a bit more

 

So Kovalainen was disapointing on the day. Not really a surprise.

Next year will probably be all about engines: if one of the manufacturers drops the ball, or one of the manufacturers does better than the others, then all the teams they supply will be affected. We could see three distinct groups: e.g. all the Mercedes cars at the front, followed by all the Renault cars, then all the Ferrari cars.

Of course Adrian Newey isn't going to forget everything he knows about aerodynamics, but the change in exhaust regs is going to affect them the most. It's very interesting to see Williams apparently going forward when they abandoned the fancy exhaust system; maybe the others have also lost ground this year through trying to do what Red Bull do. Perhaps what Lotus is doing right is doing their own thing.

It's a shame that speculating about next year is much more interesting than this year's championship, but there you go.

 

Yeah he got mugged at the start. I think a combination of not having done a race start for a year, not one up that end of the grid for even longer and the other drivers smelling blood for a driver who knew he needed to bring the car home in one piece.

With the fuel restriction I think it will be more level than natural development would allow. It's not like Merc can build a monster power engine and sprint off because they have to fuel manage.

Qualifying also needs a fuel restriction to properly tie the teams hands behind their back and ensure a close pack of different cars.

Australia will likely be the most interesting part of the season seeing if any one has been clever with the rules.

The championship has been boring, but taking the races on merit there's been some good battles happening on track.

 

Well thats it, all over! the only person to be sad about this news is Mr Vettel!

Sad to hear the V8s one last time but next year will be fascinating with new regs