Is anything up with Heikki?

[Andy B]

I'm puzzled, I know Heikki has had some bad luck but where is he when he's needed?
Is it that Lewis is really that good? It seemed to be the case with Schumacker in his early days who ever was in the team!
McLaren have faith in him so is he good but is just being shown up by Lewis, I just cannot make up my mind.

[Scott]

I missed how he blew his tire - debris, or did he clip someone?  Anyone know?

[Andy B]

Nobody said on the programme just that he had picked up a puncture.

[Steven Roy]

I think Heikki has two problems.  First is no-one on the grid could live with Lewis.  In the junior formulae when he did a second season in the same formulae his performance gain was unbelievable.  His first season would be good then in the second it was like he had a turbo fitted.  Last year he beat the reigning double world champion so add on his second season improvement and it is no surprise Heikki doesn't look good against him.  This year's car just so clearly suits Lewis that it has given him a bit more of an edge.  Heikki will be a successful F1 driver with a long career and race wins.

[John S]

Heikki had a serious brakes issue today they were overheating on the start grid and that is why he retired in the end. Is it possible the brake temperature went up so much it affected the Tyre and it resulted in a deflation?

Heikki is I believe a good driver but as everyone else is saying Lewis is just a lot better, add to this a first season in a different car and it's easy to fall behind an already established team mate.

Since there has been perfect Harmony in the Macca camp this year they are sure to forgive Heikki a few mistakes and will be looking for him to step up next year but not necessarily challenge Lewis, a number 1 and 2  status coming about naturally is perfect for them. 

[cosworth151]

I saw that on the grid, too. At first, I thought it was Massa's engine. On Speed, they said that the teams were telling their drivers to be careful with their tires after Kovi's puncture, so it might have been a Bridgestone issue.

[johnbull]

It was bad strategy to fill Heiki up like they did. He needed to be there in between Kimi and Massa, and could have been had he not qualified with so much fuel.

Had he finished 3rd with Massa 4th it would have all been done and dusted. As it is, we have to wit for Brazil.

[John S]

You are right JB about the McLaren strategy looking bad but I think perhaps they were covering off a possible wet spell, or safety car, in the race that was looking likely in forecasts. As always different strategies that pay off look clever but wrong guesses look foolish.