I'm still not sure what to expect based off pre-season testing. I'm so tempted to set my alarm to wake up for practice so that I'll have a better clue, but being up at 4am and not being able to crawl back into bed might be tough three days in a row.
I can hear them from my apartment building. Got free tickets so going to check them out on monday. I'm hoping mark webber finishes high, but I'm tipping that vettel will come out on top. red bull are still looking good.
I'm afraid RB and Vettel will dominate again (sure last year he didn't dominate in the first half of the season but the 2nd half was indeed uncompetitive). I want Alonso to win!
Didn't see practice, then again I'd have to of streamed it. Good to see the Lotuses are keeping their pace, no surprise that McLaren have dipped off with their 'unconventional' set-up, was always going to happen. Seasonal hopes would be Rosberg getting another win, or few. And one for Massa. If he keeps up his pace, and pushes hard on Alonso, no other man deserves it.
I'd love to see Vettel toppled but not sure he will be. Ferrari look stronger now than they did this time last year but it was the second half of the season when Vettel overtook Alonso and stormed it.
I'd rather it be Kimi who challenged him and both he & Grosjean looked quick in the second session today so maybe they're in for a strong season. Mercedes quick but unreliable it would seem. McLaren got problems too, Button not happy!
Predicting another Alonso/Vettel battle with Alonso coming out on top this time. Hopin for Kimi though, the lotus looks faster than last year so we'll see.
As a Macca fan, I'm none too happy with the practice results. The sole good thing about what's looking like a potentially weak car to start with is that it should be easier to gauge Perez against Button. The Mercs seem to have gotten things together (lucky for Hamilton, who I'm still cheering for on the side) and Lotus is starting strong-ish (go Kimi!).
I won't be the least bit surprised if Red Bull get the 1 -2 grid positions. Kinda hoping for Webber over Vet, just because.
Well exited about new season Red bull look quickest , Mercedes ,Lotus Ferrari , Mcleran look to be struggling bit I am hoping It will competitive as last season atleast at the start when teams try to work out this new tires
And I also heard it could rain in Australia so hoping for interesting race
What a nightmare, waking up at 5am for technical difficulties and delays but hopefully we get a rain filled Q2 & Q3, it might be the only way to stop a red bull domination
Hopefully. Would love another Jenson win to add to the 3 of the last 4 victories in Melbourne. If it's wet too he'll fancy it. I'd love another Canada from 2011. That was an epic race from Mr. Button!
If it's raining you've got to think the Hulk will be in about the podium along with the Toro Rosso which looks good in rain. So it is pretty open in the rain and Red bull's to lose in the dry(going by practice.
Alonso twitter:
"Good morning! 8;45h in Melbourne. Some rain around, race should be dry, qualy not sure. Going to the circuit now. Interesting day ahead.."
@curry: yeah by Monday I'll be ruined, I'm an Aussie sleeping pattern as of Friday
Unfortunate ending for Sutil, was always going to end up that way. Force India will need to start identifying their weaker tyres early in race weekends and eliminate them quick in races. Its very early to pick it out, but Bianchi seems mesmerising in that Marussia. Left Chilton & Pic for dust statistically. Will need more time to say if hes a class act though.
Its good to see that the race didn't turn into a precession like it was predicted. Red Bull doesn't seem too strong on their tyres in a medium-long stint. They'll curb that quickly, mind. But both Ferrari cars seem very strong, would be fantastic for them to finally get that constructors trophy back.
this lotus looks good. damn good. two stopped and kimi was still pulling away at the end. tyre degradation will always be such a massive factor and if lotus have managed to harness that pace AND keep the tyres good, they'll be a force.
Well that was a great race real happy Kimi won and it was good strategy , I though Ferrari was quickest car in the race but they were trying and cover red bull .Should be interesting season
Red bull are quick but are eating their tires real quick needs to work around it
Lotus pretty good on its tires but qualifying and heating tires might be a problem
Ferrari looked pretty good with both drivers looking very comfortable
Mercedes well not so sure they had long run on softs but they seemed lack bit of race pace
Great race. Kind of confirms what I've always believed which is the current 'cream of the crop' are the 2 drivers who have been such since 2005. Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. What makes them more dangerous now is even though they may not have the one lap pace of a Sebastian Vettel or Lewis Hamilton, they know how to race, as exhibited today. Raikkonen played that Grand Prix perfectly while Alonso knew what he had to do to get past Massa, Sutil and Vettel and he did so in one strategy call. Championship looks to be interesting. Here's what I reckon the pecking order is:
Red Bull: Fastest over a single lap but anything longer and they're quickly drawn in. Didn't help themselves by not doing many race simulations in testing. Ferrari: Pretty good in qualifying and probably the fastest overall race package. Lotus: Just like last year, they're probably 3rd or 4th in terms of qualifying but in the race they're comparable with Ferrari. On pure pace they're probably a tenth or two off but they're the easiest on the tyres which will be vital at points this season. Mercedes: Like Red Bull, the car is a better qualifier than racer. Qualifying-wise they can mix it up with Ferrari and maybe Red Bull depending on circumstances. However, in the race, it's clear the car is fundamentally slower than Red Bull, Ferrari and Lotus. McLaren: Oh dear. Made a bold move to go revolutionary with their design, feeling they'd reached the end of the development curve with their former car (which was actually pretty handy). 5th fastest car in qualifying but at least 6th and well and truly mid-pack in the race. I'm in the minority that support the decision to make the change. Like McLaren though I expected they'd at least be closer to the front, possibly on a par with Mercedes' race pace. Force India: Fairplay. The car is handy. On a par with McLaren in qualifying trim and a beast on race day. They're definitely a step ahead of the other midfield runners now and for the time being, they've surpassed McLaren overall. Sauber: Tough to say. Gutierrez was ok but behind both Toro Rossos in the race, something Sauber won't want. I do however fancy Hulkenberg would have made it into the points. I'd have pegged him for 7th-9th. Toro Rosso: Not too brilliant in quali but their gamble for a wide set up range has paid off in race trim. Both Ricciardo and Vergne in particular were pacey in the race, getting in amongst McLaren. What a change from last year I suppose. It must be said though that Toro Rosso have started strong before then petered out. Williams: Like McLaren they seem to have gone the wrong way. I have a feeling though that Williams' woes are what McLaren feared with their 2012 design later on in the season. Marussia: They've jumped Caterham and in Jules Bianchi they appear to have a very handy driver. 10th place in the Constructors' Championship is very achievable with him at the wheel. Caterham: They got rid of 2 drivers who should still be on the grid, Kovalainen in particular. And..they're paying for it. They seem to have bulit a garden shed that Pic to his credit is doing a half decent job with (though I wonder whether that's due to Chilton not being all that good).
Why is Webber such a poor starter? Surely he would identify it as a major flaw in his racing and would work on improving it. Kimi was great, Alonso though may beast it this season.
'McLaren has apologized for a software-related issue on an engine control unit it supplies to Formula One teams and which contributed to Red Bull driver Mark Webber's poor start at the Australian Grand Prix.'
^The Iceman may have something to say about that. Kimi was Fernando's major rival back in '05, it may be that we have a similar situation here. Raikkonen looks very good.
Everyone and their mother knew that. Chilton hasn't really proven himself while Bianchi, although a bit too enthusiastic and crashes a fair bit, is undoubtedly fast.
Great to see Kimi get the win. I hope he can push even further this season, Lotus too and the early signs are good!
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