Japanese GP Chat

[Chrissie]

Press Conference Schedule:

Thursday, October 7, 1500 hours local time (0600 GMT):
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Kamui Kobayashi (BMW Sauber), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Adrian Sutil (Force India) and Sakon Yamamoto (HRT).

Friday, October 8, 1600 hours local time (0700 GMT):
Norbert Haug (Mercedes), Robert Fernley (Force India), Adam Parr (Williams), Franz Tost (Toro Rosso) and Hiroshi Yasukawa (Bridgestone).

Looks like we could be in for a damp/wet race??

Suzuka Weather Forecast

[icegirljenni]

2 Japanese driver for Suzuka PC... tsk tsk boring line up

[alonso 4ever]

well, i'll never believe the weather forcast!!!!

hope we will see a nice interesting race :)

[icegirljenni]

Wow wow wait what is this???

Ferrari: Massa 'still a number one'

Quote:Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has emphasised that Felipe Massa will not become a permanent number two driver, even though Fernando Alonso has ended up being the focus of the team's title push this season.

Last week di Montezemolo told the Italian press that he was looking for Massa "shave points off the rivals" in the deciding races, underlining that "those who race for Ferrari don't race for themselves, but for the Ferrari team colours."

But the Italian made it clear that Massa was still regarded as Alonso's equal by the team, despite the current situation, and that both drivers would start 2011 with an even chance.

"Felipe is and will always stay a number one driver for Ferrari," di Montezemolo told the official Ferrari website.

"I expect the performances of a number one driver from him - both in the next four races and, with different tyres, next year. Those will be crucial to bring us wins next season and to take important points from our opponents in the battle for this world championship."

Di Montezemolo added that he had spoken with both drivers by telephone today, and was pleased with the mood in the Ferrari camp ahead of this weekend's crucial Japanese Grand Prix.

"Fernando sounded very focused and determined, just like the whole team," said di Montezemolo. "It's an important time and I'm sure that everyone will give everything they have in order to achieve our objectives."

After back to back wins in Italy and Singapore, Alonso has jumped from fifth to second in the world championship and closed to within 11 points of leader Mark Webber.

What with that bold text there? They are indeed admit they have practice the team order huh ...

[Chrissie]

Q & A with Fernando Alonso

[alonso 4ever]

thanks girls

well, we all know who is the best driver now!!

if u have a good driver and u know he's better that the other one, what would u do??!

talking is free!! so let them say whatever they wants

i guess alonso is waiting for another mistake by the bulls....

[alonso 4ever]

sooooooooooo sleepy as waiting for another safety car inspection...

who prayed for rain??!! haha

really hope to see the quali today...

[Tension_36th]

Due to sky urination no qualifying. It will be a few hours before the race time on Sunday. Official confirmation now pending at the time of this posting.

[Chrissie]

How crap is that? I got up at 3 and 6 o clock this morning and for absolutely nothing Could've been worse I suppose, could have been one of the poor people that actually sat in the pouring rain in Japan

Wish I hadn't prayed for rain now

[icegirljenni]

Chrissie... you ask for it, you got it

[alonso 4ever]

chrissie, it was u!! haha

i'll have to wake up at 4am tomorrow to watch the quali (i hate that)..

hopefully it won't rain again tomorrow..

[ali786]

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton will be given a five-place grid penalty after Sunday's qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix for changing his gearbox, the FIA confirmed on Saturday.

The unauthorised gearbox change came in the third free practise session in which the 2008 World Champion hardly participated after only completing three laps none of which were timed after torrential rain washed out qualifying.

The latest incident is another blow for Hamilton's title bid after the British driver failed to finish in three of the last four races, two of them following damage from botched overtaking manoeuvres.

The 25-year-old has slid to third in the championship, 20 points behind pace-setter Mark Webber of Australia.

[ashyxt]

we wish Fernando the best of luck tomorrow morning & afternoon (GMT+9)!