F1 2012

[Daniel 7]

Great race - Perez is arriving as a future world champion. Drivers like him don't come along very often. Look at Kobayashi and thats the level of that car, Perez lifts them into contention. He is the real deal.

Controlled race from Lewis, he drove it well, untroubled. My admiration for Alonso is undimmed, he profited from some retirements but he has to be in contention in the first place in order to pick up scraps - couple of passes early on did that. I really hope he gets that 3rd championship this year. Also Alonso, perfect English and Italian in the post race interview, compare that to doofus footballers like Tevez or Beckham, who spend years in other countries and are too thick to bother learning the language.

Interesting to hear Lewis trying a little "Ciao Tutto" and pointing to Italian colours on his helmet at the end - "Come and get me Ferrari?"

[G]

Perez is awesome no doubt but harsh on Kobayashi I reckon who suffered badly from having got in the top ten in quali and having to start on the option.Perez drove it beautifully on the harder tyre to allow the last stint on the option when all in front where on the hard.

He's a talent no doubt,where he goes next will be make or break for him,He'd be competitive in a leading car but not sure being a No 2 to Alonso would be helpful at this stage. Super from Alonso again and exactly what Hamilton needed,no fuss just get the job done. Idiotic from Vettel on Alonso.

Great race.

[Daniel 7]

Depends on whether they treated Perez as the heir apparent to Alonso or not. A few years learning from the best in the business without the pressure of being lead driver, but at the same time learning the Ferrari culture would be brilliant for him.

Sticking him in as a number two Rubinho style would do nobody any favours.

I wasn't being disparaging to Koba btw, he's decent, but its becoming more and more apparent just how good Perez actually is.

[G]

I didn't think Alonso was 32! Looks younger. All depends on when he plans on finishing. He's on record as wanting to finish with Ferrari so another year or two then Checo coming in and learning from him could be ideal alright.

Perez has time on his side, if hang tight till 2014 if I was him.

Webbers drive should be open and if rumours are correct Vettels could be too if he joined Ferrari.

Should be a few good drives going then.

[RichC]

As it currently stands anyone joining Ferrari with asperations for challenging for a title in the next 2 - 3 years are mad, Alonso is the number 1 driver and won't be sharing that gig with anyone until he decides enough is enough. (only caveat to that would be Vettel which would be very interesting)

Perez is by the looks of it head and shoulders above the rest of the new crop coming through and I hope he looks to get to where he wants to get (Ferrari) the long route as I can't see him being allowed to challenge Alonso for the championship whilst he's there.

Good race today from Lewis, controlled from start to finish and got a well deserved win, Alonso was excellent as well took full advantage of the failings of others to get into 3rd but you've got to stick yourself into the position to be able to do that so hats off to him.

McLaren look the team to beat at the moment should be a good run in to the end of season, Vettel won't want to go out without a stern effort to defend his title, Alonso is sitting pretty at the top and Hamilton is certainly not going to give in.

[Daniel 7]

McLaren look the team to beat at the moment should be a good run in to the end of season, Vettel won't want to go out without a stern effort to defend his title, Alonso is sitting pretty at the top and Hamilton is certainly not going to give in.

Its been a brilliant return to competitiveness after the two Vettel / Red Bull years. What a great race that was yesterday, and this season has been excellent.

[Gaz]

British Professor Sid Watkins, who tended to Ayrton Senna after the Brazilian's fatal crash at Imola in 1994, has died aged 84.

Watkins served as Formula 1's doctor and medical chief between 1978 and 2004 - a period which brought much-improved levels of safety in the sport.

"Such sad news about Prof Sid Watkins - our thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman who did so much for our sport. thank you"
Williams F1 Team.
Quotes of the week
He oversaw enhanced medical intervention in that time and helped many drivers. However, Watkins was best known as being the doctor on the scene when Senna crashed in the San Marino Grand Prix 18 years ago.

"Motor sport has lost a true visionary and character with death of Prof Sid Watkins. Great man, funny too.Saved my left foot being amputated," said Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle. "Sid was the 'go to' man for health in Motorsport. He helped, saved, or made more comfortable, numerous people who never sat in a racing car."

"Really sad news that Prof Sid Watkins passed. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Will miss your great sense of humour. R.I.P," added Johnny Herbert.

The current generation of F1 drivers, including McLaren pair Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, have also paid tribute.

"Rest in Peace Sid Watkins...Motorsport wouldn't be what it is today without you. Thank you for all you've done, we as drivers are so grateful," tweeted Button before quoting Albert Einstein reflecting: "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

Born in Liverpool, Watkins graduated as a Doctor of Medicine at the city's University in 1956 and attended his first motorsport event in a medical capacity five years later.

Watkins was often required to bring his own equipment to races, which reflected prevailing attitudes towards safety at the time. Little had changed by the time Bernie Ecclestone, then Brabham team owner and head of the Formula One Constructors' Association, asked him to start attending Grands Prix in 1978.

Watkins, who at the time was Head of Neurosurgery at the London Hospital, later recalled that the medical facilities for the first race he attended were located in a tent.

He demanded change as a result of Ronnie Peterson's death at that year's Italian Grand Prix. Watkins' attempts to reach the injured driver were halted by police, whilst there was also an ambulance delay.

A medical helicopter, car and anaesthetist were secured, although drivers continued to lose their lives. One day before Senna was killed at the 1994 San Marino GP, the Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger also succumbed in a qualifying accident at Imola.

In his book 'Life at the Limit: Triumph and Tragedy in Formula One', Watkins recalls asking Senna to walk away from the sport on the day of the race.

Senna's death brought a new impetus in the drive towards improving safety, with Watkins appointed President of the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety in 2004.

Awarded an OBE in 2002, Watkins was married with four sons and two daughters.

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8074980/F1-mourns-passing-of-Sid-Watkins

RIP Sid

[Daniel 7]

I'd just come into this thread to post this. Sad day for F1.

[Gaz]

I'd just come into this thread to post this. Sad day for F1.

Yep, i'll always remember reading interviews with him after Senna's death which clearly had a huge impact on his life and for him to help make F1 as safe as it is today is a huge testament to him as a person

He'll be sadly missed by the sport

[G]

Jake Humphrey leaving the BBC to present BT's premier league coverage is a big loss to the BBC.

Him,DC and Eddie are great

[RichC]

yeah it's a shame to see he's off, anytime a race is being shown live on BBC it's on there as the coverage on Sky is nowhere near as good as on there.

[G]

Yeah they are way ahead of Sky. That Lazonby ****er does my head in.

Jake has a kid on the way so probably the right time to give up the jet setting!The beeb have to get his replacement spot on to stay ahead of the pack.

[RichC]

Hamilton on pole for tomorrow with Maldonando in 2nd, cracking lap from Lewis today to take the pole. Looks very focused to try and bridge the gap to Alonso

[CJ]

The Reverend :rocj:

[Daniel 7]

The season is heating up!

The two best drivers are hopefully going to contest it between now and the end of the season.