Should Kimi Raikkonen return to F1 with Williams?

Here's an opinion piece on the possiblity of Kimi Raikkonen returning to Formula One in 2012.

Singapore win leaves Vettel 1 point away from title

Sebastian Vettel comfortably controlled the Singapore Grand Prix, to leave him a point away from the championship.

Super Vettel on pole again in Singapore

Sebastian Vettel takes pole position again with a magnificent lap in Singapore.

The features F1 2011 needs to make it a great game

A screenshot of F1 2010, but how can it be bettered?



Last year, Codemasters released F1 2010 on PS3, XBOX 360 and PC. This year, they are releasing
2011's version, with updated liveries, and the entrance into the game for Paul di Resta, Jerome D'Ambrosio, Sergio Perez and Pastor Maldonado. I want to explain how 2010's version can be improved, and what I want in 2011's game to make it a great game.

NEW FEATURES

First of all, I cannot understand the obsession amongst F1 fans to have a safety car in the game. I realise that it makes the game more realistic, but when it was finally confirmed as 'in' the game, people reacted as if World War Two had just stopped. Anyway, I'm sure it will make the ends of the race interesting for those who do long races. But it won't work well (or at all) without more realism from the AI cars, which I will discuss later. I am really interested to see how Codemasters manage the new KERS and DRS systems, which need to be realistic and tactical enough to attract the hardcore F1 fan but also the casual gamer.

LIVE THE LIFE

The Toro Rosso area in F1 2011

Last season, the choice of helmet desgins was somewhat disappointing. I realise it is difficult to incorporate making your own into the game, but surely there can be some more choices, or even having real life designs, for instance F1 fans like Alonso's, Hamilton's, Schumacher's helmets, and maybe there could be a way of putting that in. Also, the paddock is exactly the same for every team in F1 2010, which I was extremely disappointed with. That is definitely something that needs to be improved.  Also, the interview system needs improving. it would be good to see more of the actual driver, for instance celebrating with your team after a great result, or been devastated after a crash. I am told that these will be in the game though. I would also like to see a better system with the agent, as well as contracts. You could only be offered a 1-year contract with a team, and it is also unlikely that you would be sacked after you won a championship. Another thing I want is the podium ceremony, which is looking like it could well be in. Car numbers didn't change, nor did even slightly the car designs.



The FOM TV Display, with lap counter and positions.

ON TRACK

One of the main issues last year was with the AI cars. They were the most unrealistic part of F1 2010, with stupid results like Tonio Liuzzi regularly on the podium. Also, I would like to see a more realistic representation of the drivers themselves, for example seeing that Vettel is immense in qualifying, that Alonso can come from nowhere, that Button is great on the tyres, that Hamilton is good in the wet, that Kobayashi goes for bansai moves etc would make the game even better. Also, I think it would be good if the proper FOM TV display was shown, like the image shows. Also, it was met with joy when the safety car was confirmed, but in F1 2010, no driver ever crashed, and it didn't really rain hard enough for the SC to come out, so I don't know when the safety car will be used. I just hope that the AI cars are less "Consistent" and crash more, otherwise all the enthusiasm for the safety car will be for nothing. I want to see a realistic version of DRS and KERS, because it is too easy to overtake anyway. For instance, at Canada, the DRS made overtakes arguably too easy, whereas last weekend in Monza, DRS was ineffective. It was quite easy in the wet, as you just went fastest easily. This needs to be improved.

CONCLUSION
Most of the main points that I have actually looks to have been addressed, because this video, which is hyperlinked below, where the multiplayer mode has been used, recreates action from this season. After seeing this, I am really looking forward to F1 2011. F1 2011 Video - the season so far



Singapore Grand Prix Preview

We approach Singapore, F1's only night race, with Sebastian Vettel having virtually won his second consecutive title after victories in Spa and Monza. In fact, Vettel can win the title this weekend, but he needs his rivals to have a bad race, so the Red Bull man may have to wait for Japan or Korea to win it. Also, it could be a tough race for the German, as many of his rivals are strong here. Fernando Alonso won last year, and in 2008, while Lewis Hamilton won in 2009.

Last year, it was Alonso and Vettel a country mile ahead of everyone else, with the Spaniard's excellent pole position converted to a gorgeous victory, leading every lap, despite finishing just 0.3 seconds ahead of Vettel. So those two are for sure contenders this year, and with the Ferrari's improved pace at Monza, as well as Red Bull taking a brilliant victory, so they are both going to Singapore in the best shape possible.



Alonso and Vettel were on top in 2010

Lewis Hamilton has very mixed experiences of the Singapore track, with a 3rd place in 2008, followed by a pole-win in 2009, but 2010 was a different story. Racing for 3rd with Mark Webber, they collided with the McLaren driver retiring on the spot.
Hamilton will be hoping he does better than last year, and he knows the Mclaren is quite well suited to this track, so he will be hoping to join Alonso, Button and Webber in delaying Vettel's championship party.

The championship is over but even so, the battle for 2nd is intense, with nothing seperating the four drivers involved. Watch out obviosuly for the top five, but also Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, who are battling for the most points in the Mercedes, with Schumacher in brilliant form right now. Virgin will be hoping that they can be best of the newer teams this weekend, as Timo Glock is very good around this circuit, taking a second place for Toyota in 2009.

Pirelli are bringing their softest compounds to this race, which will help Ferrari, who really struggle on the harder compounds, as was shown in Monza. The heat, even though it is a night race, is intense, which will play into Ferrari's hands once more.

The track is bumpy and dusty, and difficult to master. It takes a strong driver to keep his focus during the night time with bright lights on such a twisty track for near enough two hours. The chicanes following the second straight are very difficult to work, as Adrian Sutil found out in practice last year, flying through the air uncontrollably as he got his line wrong. Lewis Hamilton even made a complaint about the chicanes, saying that they may even be unsafe.

So, who's gonna be the main protagonists? Sebastian Vettel will want to win the championship this weekend, but a lot of results have to go his way if that is to happen. Fernando Alonso has good experiences with this track, and knows that this is probably Ferrari's last big chance to best Red Bull this season. Lewis Hamilton is always a key figure, and won here in 2009. His team mate Jenson Button has a chance, with his brilliant work on his tyres surely coming in useful with the softest compounds. And what about Schumacher and Rosberg? Have the Mercedes tides finally turned in favour of Schuey? Who knows? I don't, but I do expect a good race at a novel, unique, and beautiful track.

Why has Sebastian Vettel done so well this season?

Vettel's being amazing this year, and is so close to the championship, and here's the reasons why.

Vettel closes in on title after Monza victory

Sebastian Vettel performs a magnificent overtake on Fernando Alonso as he wins the Italian Grand Prix.

Vettel shines with brilliant Monza pole

Sebastian Vettel was on fire again as he took pole position in Italy.

Italian Grand Prix Preview

Monza is all about straight line speed - and McLaren and Ferrari will fancy their chances this weekend.