Championship up in smoke?

[WhyOne?]

Working in SE Asia, i took the opportunity to visit Singapore for the GP two weeks ago, and whilst undoubtedly a spectacle, the last 3 days at Sepang proved to me there is nowhere like a purpose built circuit to see F1 cars at their best....and Sepang is a stunningly good place to watch F1 cars.......

A couple of pictures from today.

Championship up in smoke?
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8406/30028480376_fe3a884686_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MKvP3h)Smoke1 (https://flic.kr/p/MKvP3h) by Whyone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/81695468@N05/), on Flickr

No....championship up in smoke and flames!
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5052/30028480966_0b913b8748_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MKvPds)Smoke and flames2 (https://flic.kr/p/MKvPds) by Whyone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/81695468@N05/), on Flickr

[Senninha]

Great photos Ian, it's gonna be close over the next five, really don't want to see #1 on the other Mercedes ....

[NZNick]

Great photos - thanks for sharing them.

Better result from the McLaren Hondas than of late - well done FA & JB! Will they both be using the "new" engine in Japan?

[WhyOne?]

Thanks Paul and Nick.

I'm afraid I was not unhappy to see Lewis's car go up in flames - and his comments to the media afterwards illustrated why I have so little time for him.

I was delighted to see Jenson have a good qualifying and race as I'm pretty sure that's the last time, after 15 years of supporting him through thick (and mainly!) thin, that I'll see him race in F1. Shame the VSC conspired against him and helped Fernando though.

Honda only ran the new engine (in Fernando's car) in FP1, but he finished over 1 second ahead of Jenson (who had a trouble free session) - there is rarely more than a couple of tenths between the two drivers, so great cause for optimism I feel.

Honda will not run the new engine in Jenson's car in next weekend at Suzuka though as they don't want to incur penalties in their home race. Fernando will (I believe) run the new engine.

A few more photo's......

This is going to end badly for Sebastian and Nico:
https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8640/29994900591_08aa382fd0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MGxGWt)GP2 (https://flic.kr/p/MGxGWt) by Whyone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/81695468@N05/), on Flickr

Lewis looking a tad hacked off:
https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8347/30078258245_a93a1b5253_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MPUWgp)GP1 (https://flic.kr/p/MPUWgp) by Whyone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/81695468@N05/), on Flickr

Kimi:
https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8330/29783584780_8c3f4b1575_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MnSE7q)KR1 (https://flic.kr/p/MnSE7q) by Whyone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/81695468@N05/), on Flickr

Prize for the coolest parade car goes to Jenson in the comically small Honda S600 (or is it an S800?)
https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5039/29994896811_7c2922ce90_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/MGxFPi)JB1 (https://flic.kr/p/MGxFPi) by Whyone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/81695468@N05/), on Flickr

[WhyOne?]

.....really don't want to see #1 on the other Mercedes ....

Still, looking on the bright side Paul, even if Nico does win the drivers championship, you wont have to suffer seeing the number 1 on his car - drivers have personal numbers they keep season to season these days - see Lewis's car carrying his '44' above for example.

[goldnsx]

I'm in no favor for any of them (Vettel, Verstappen, Rosberg) but the penalty for Vettel in the next race is too much. Of course the move in turn one was risky but not stupid. Vettel was 3/4 cars ahead of Verstappen. He touched Vettels rear tire who lost balance and slid into Rosberg. Verstappen is at to blame too.

Overall, it's was one of the best races in dry since a long time. I didn't feel the urge to switch it off after 10 laps. :) Interesting to see Honda in Suzuka with the Suzuka Specials engine instead of a GP2.

[NSX 2000]

Amazing pictures Ian ;)

I'm off to Austin in 3 weeks, can't wait!

On a side note well done to Flash (Gordon Shedden) on retaining his BTCC drivers title. It went right down to the wire with great racing at Brands Hatch.

[Senninha]

On a side note well done to Flash (Gordon Shedden) on retaining his BTCC drivers title. It went right down to the wire with great racing at Brands Hatch.

Bu**er, just sat down to watch the Brands coverage, made it through qually, and getting ready for the final showdown, still not knowing the result .... And then this post beats me to answer, Cheers! ��

[NSX 2000]

Bu**er,

I think Matt Neal might have used a stronger word after/during his crash in race 2