It’s funny how, even though Nico Rosberg continues to lead the World Drivers Championship standings, the bulk of the FBC staffers tend to go with Lewis Hamilton for the win, race in and race out. For the Japanese Grand Prix, the staffers are unanimous with their votes for the Brit over the German.
Rosberg only gets four picks for 2nd place and one nod for 3rd, in fact. Vettel and the two Red Bull drivers each also get a pic for the runner up position, while everyone’s podiums are filled by those same five drivers. Unlike Malaysia, where almost all Top Six picks were solely left for Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull pilots, apart for Sergio Perez, this weekend sees appearances by Alonso and Bottas, along with the fore mentioned Perez. Some big names are popping up for First Out, with Alonso, Rosberg, Vettel and Ricciardo each getting at least one pick, while Palmer takes his normal two to leave the race first.
Todd
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Vettel
4. Ricciardo
5. Raikkonen
6. Verstappen
FO Palmer
Grace
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Rosberg
4. Verstappen
5. Raikkonen
6. Ricciardo
FO Alonso
Paul
1. Hamilton
2. Ricciardo
3. Verstappen
4. Vettel
5. Raikkonen
6. Alonso
FO Rosberg
Tom
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Ricciardo
4. Verstappen
5. Vettel
6. Alonso
FO Palmer
Andrew
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Ricciardo
4. Verstappen
5. Raikkonen
6. Bottas
FO Vettel
Tony
1. Hamilton
2. Verstappen
3. Vettel
4. Rosberg
5. Ricciardo
6. Raikkonen
FO Alonso
Dave
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Verstappen
4. Vettel
5. Alonso
6. Perez
FO Ricciardo
Current Standings
1. Tony 117
2. Todd 102
3. Grace 101
4. Dave 98
5. Johnpierre 91
6. Andrew 85
7. Tom 68
8. Paul 67
Going with:
1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Ricciardo
4. Vettel
5. Verstappen
6. Raikkonen
…and first out will be Button.
I like the picks. I think the first turn will see the first out though. I think Max will cause a first turn pile up and take out Nico. With the benefit of post qualifing information I think Kimi will be on the podium again.
….and a big 12 points for that race.