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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: F1fanaticBD on March 17, 2013, 10:39:41 AM

Title: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 17, 2013, 10:39:41 AM
Finally the wait was over. The roar of the V8 shattered every other thing, and drivers where set to start what they are world renown for, out pacing each other, and give us a magnificent show. And boy did they deliver it an awesome fashion. As the chances of the rain keep looming and getting qualified only 5 hours before the race was one way of showing the hectic workload the driver were on. And as Formula One keep defying the odds, anyone who have seen Vettel put on that staggering qualifying lap would have sighed, here comes the raging bulls domination again. And only rain can stop them, but as the 5 lights gone off, it was anything except Red bull domination. We have seven drivers who have lead the race, among them was impressive Adian Sutil, rejuvenated Mercedes duos of Lewis and Nico Roseberg, but over everything else it was the Ice cool drive from the favorite Iceman of the paddock Kimi Raikkonen, who picked the first win of the season, more importantly brought down the flying German from pole to third place, which stacks the season up ahead as a cracker.

Heros :

1. Kimi Raikkonen : For surely he is all in all the best thing of the Australian Grand Prix, drove a fabulous race, did not inherited because the win from the seventh place start, instead he weaved around all of the drivers ahead, worked up a beautiful 2 stop strategy, while other went for the Pirelli prescribed 3 stop strategy, and brought Lotus a victory. And Kimi being the Kimi, "It was the easiest race win he have ever driven" :fool:

2. Adrian Sutil : A Force India leading on its own merit says the effort and genius of the driver, so Adrian Sutil after 1 year break have shown just why team opted him rather than Jules Bianchi. He fought and though he might end up in the 7th place, but he can keep his head high. Because he fought Ferrari, Red Bulls and kept them at the bay for the impressive amount of time. He was only shown a blue flag while fighting with Vettel, I think that shows how good he was today.

3. Ferrari Duos : Both of them drive an impressive race, cannot pick who was better, and it was good to see no message from the pits saying "Fernando is faster than you"

4.Jules Bianchi : For me that is an impressive debut for the young Frenchman, who was in the league of his own among the scrappy back marker race. He was impressive all weekend, and for me a very good replacement of Timo Glock. I think it was a good thing for Marussia that Luiz Razia's fund never arrived.

Zeros :

1. McLaren : Taking nothing away from Button 9th place finish, but what a dog of a car you have made in that MP4-28  :fool:

2. Pastor Maldonado : Okay you have a bad car agreed by all, does not mean you have to be wayward and have to end in the gravel to prove that. It also prove that you lack maturity and patience, well they say you never had them in the first place so with what I am arguing  :DntKnw:

3. Mark Webber : What is wrong with you and start of a grand prix. How many times do we have to type in the chat "Webber again with his start" If you are this bad at start, you will never be a champion no matter how good racer you are. Impressive start is the way of great racer, and at the moment you are the one who looses all the hard work of qualifying session in a few split seconds.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Williamsfan on March 17, 2013, 11:47:55 AM
A little part of me wants to make Red Bull heroes for creating a car that was not dominant this weekend!  Otherwise I'd agree with what you said!
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Scott on March 17, 2013, 01:10:01 PM
Little to add, BD - I didn't notice Bianchi (for that matter, I didn't notice Mclaren except each time Perez was passed  :( ).

Mclaren obviously have a massive problem.  I sure hope they can fix it.  I was looking forward to see what Perez could do with a front running car. 

Sutil drove a heckuva race.  Way to go all of Force India.  I wonder if we will be talking about Force India as a team with plenty of heart, culture and charisma (a la Minardi) in a couple decade's time.   ;)

Ferrari was a nice surprise.  Never a fan of Massa, but he really did no wrong today, and showed he can keep up with Alonso (until he needed to - during the last laps of the race).  Once again I suppose Alonso will show us that a championship can be won from the second step.  Hope he makes it to the top a few times this year.   As much as I would LOVE to see Kimi take it this year, I think Alonso is really due.   ::) ::)

Yeah, Pastor - nutcase with speed, and you are right, he will probably moan about how it was the car (which will not please Frank).  >:(

When is Webber going to figure out how to start a current F1 car?  Really, there is no skill he should have been working on in the off-season more than that.  Put down the bike, get in the sim and figure it the heck out Mark! 

Finally, I noted in chat that not only was this a SC free race, but I think it was a race without any kind of contact.  Not a wall, not a wing, not a rubber mark on a sidepod (although a few close calls).  Wonder if that is a record for a season opening race.   :DntKnw:

Anyhow, fun to see you guys on chat - hope even more will join next week.   :good: :good: :good: :good:
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 17, 2013, 01:56:49 PM
Jules Bianchi being in the Marussia will not have the sort of coverage of Ferrari, Red Bull or Lotus. And as you mentioned in the chat, even the Mclaren not shown enough of what it is used to. But I have a feeling there is a reason why this guy is courted by Ferrari as their future driver. This guy was blistering by the word go in Marussia, out did Max Chilton in the first day, while Chilton was chilling for almost 2 and half testing outings.

Well if you want to start that sort of thing with Force India, well I am sure our in house Force India Fanatic Alianora will push you to the limit. I have never seen anyone as passionate as she is about this team. And for the fact that it is basically the EJ's team, I know you will find many fans of this outfit, unlike Minardi where very few people actually are their fan.

Yeah it was good to be back in the chat, and after 3 months of waiting, 2 hours of racing felt like a blink :(
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Dare on March 17, 2013, 03:13:23 PM
Everyone's covered about everything here butI
wonder how Michael would have fared in the new Mercedes?
I still think he had a win or 2 in him
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: cosworth151 on March 17, 2013, 05:40:51 PM
I'd like to add 3 Heroes -

1. Jean-Éric Vergne for getting Fastest Lap in his STR. I think that may be the only time in the history of the Grid Game that nobody got FL correctly.

2. NBC did a fine job of their first F1 week-end in adverse circumstances. They handled the long delay and then reschedule of Q2 & 3 well. The afternoon replay of the race may attract new fans.

3. Dare and Wizzo for the newly automated Grid Game. It worked quite well for its rookie race.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on March 17, 2013, 06:54:26 PM
I've always liked Kimi, and if he feels he can win in the Lotus, he will be tough all season. Sutil got a break by starting on the medium tires and saving the supersofts till the end, but even then they went off very quickly or he would have finished higher. Impressive to be sure.And a shot from Perez in car at the start showed he and Sutil touched left front to right rear very lightly at turn 1. Only contact I saw.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 17, 2013, 07:26:24 PM
I am so sorry I missed out Wizzo and Dare there.. Good Point Cos, there is a reason why you have that F1 Legend beside and none else, yet.

As far as I am concerned the FL belongs to Kimi, that he pulled in 57th lap. Still a commendable result from the Torro Rosso people.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Dare on March 17, 2013, 08:13:53 PM
I'd like to add 3 Heroes -

1. Jean-Éric Vergne for getting Fastest Lap in his STR. I think that may be the only time in the history of the Grid Game that nobody got FL correctly.

2. NBC did a fine job of their first F1 week-end in adverse circumstances. They handled the long delay and then reschedule of Q2 & 3 well. The afternoon replay of the race may attract new fans.

3. Dare and Wizzo for the newly automated Grid Game. It worked quite well for its rookie race.

I'd like to take some credit Cos but the new scoring system is all Wiz's baby.I asked him to show me how it worked but he said if he did he'd have
to kill me.Somethings are better left alone
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: vintly on March 17, 2013, 08:43:14 PM
Not much to add from me other than I'm glad that Marussia and Caterham brought both cars safely home. All five rookies finished, and as Scott said - no hint of an 'incident' throughout the race. A good sign. Great to see the Ferrari's super-competitive in Melbourne.

When will McLaren's performance match their facilities I wonder?
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Dare on March 17, 2013, 08:52:05 PM
Maybe they should have let Paddy take the secrets with him
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Williamsfan on March 18, 2013, 08:43:29 AM
Maybe they should have let Paddy take the secrets with him

 :DD
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: John S on March 18, 2013, 10:36:51 AM

1. Jean-Éric Vergne for getting Fastest Lap in his STR. I think that may be the only time in the history of the Grid Game that nobody got FL correctly.



I must say I'm puzzled to know where this fact comes from, the official F1 website, and most others, gives fastest lap to Kimi with Vergne at No 2.  :confused:
 
Is our GG correct?????  :DntKnw: 

 
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Scott on March 18, 2013, 10:48:54 AM
Yeah, you are right.  The only GG player it affects is Lon (plus one point - and he needs it).  Kimi must have pulled off the FL on the final lap, because we were all surprised in chat that Vergne was FL for the race and who would have ever picked him for that honour.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: cosworth151 on March 18, 2013, 11:30:57 AM
I just checked back with the T&S screen on F1.com:

http://www.formula1.com/live_timing/live_timing.html

As of now, the final for Melbourne is still up. Sure enough, it shows:

BEST LAP:     K. RAIKKONEN        1:29.274       ON LAP    56

Kimi did get it on the last lap.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Irisado on March 18, 2013, 03:53:40 PM
After an exciting wet Q1, the rest of the weekend was pretty predictable, and the only saving grace was that Vettel didn't win.  A Raikkonen victory is only slightly less awful (from my perspective).

The only highlight for me was Sutil's performance, which was very impressive, and definitely justified Force India's driver choice, although Bianchi drove very well for Marussia (only 1 lap down with no safety car was a good result for them).

The rest was very dull, and very uneventful for an Australian Grand Prix.  Rain was needed.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Monty on March 18, 2013, 05:06:14 PM
I want to add FIF1 as a villain if not a zero.
Why did they bring Sutil in for super softs when they did?
His lap times on the Mediums were still OK. Surely if they had brought him in with just 2-5 laps to go he would have actually got an advantage (low fuel, rubbered-in track, etc.).
I haven't done the maths but my gut tells me he may have got a podium - he certainly would have been nearer the front than where he finished with his completely wrecked tyres.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Wizzo on March 18, 2013, 05:40:29 PM
You are correct guys,  the official times show Kimi pipped Vergne on lap 56.

Kimi Räikkönen   Lotus-Renault   56   1:29.274
Jean-Eric Vergne   STR-Ferrari      50   1:29.498

The Grid Game has been adjusted accordingly and points recalculated.

Wiz
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Ian on March 18, 2013, 05:48:43 PM
Rain sure was needed Irisado, would have helped my GG too.  ::)
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on March 19, 2013, 04:16:24 AM
I think it was a bit of a psychological thrust by Kimi, "oh hey fellas I could be going faster if any of you could push me.". I will be very interested to see if he goes as well next week.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 19, 2013, 06:49:54 PM
I am sure Adrian Newey is scratching of the remaining hairs in his head, to keep the Hungry Heidi's appetite for tire in check.

Did Vettel know it would be that hard on the tires? But RBR's downforce is still ominous

Could not have asked for a better start, but for god's sake Mclaren do something with the car.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Williamsfan on March 19, 2013, 08:20:06 PM
I still cannot get past quite how bad the Williams was.  Maldonado was a disaster in both qualifying and the race (who would have guessed he wasn't the rookie in the team).  I thought Bottas and all the rookies deserved credit for how well they drove.  But personally Bottas was most pleasing, a mature drive in a car that really appeared awful at that track with those upgrades.  Make it right Coughlan, please.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 21, 2013, 07:35:59 AM
Actually as Bottas mentioned they were about to change a massive set-up change planned for FP3, but due to wet weather they could not do it, which compromised their pretty much. I think Williams will still be a good runner, because unlike McLaren they didn't made radical changes to FW35 from FW 34, so its all about getting the set-up right. They were asking for some time before they were sure about their two aero-setup, which the rain ruined totally. Yeah drastic measure are required, but it not all doom and gloom as Mclaren
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: John S on March 21, 2013, 10:18:08 AM
but it not all doom and gloom as Mclaren

  :nono: More like suicidal tendencies.  :D 

When a Williams struggles to keep ahead of a Minardi(oops Freudian slip) Marussia, without mechanical failure, then doom and gloom is the least of their worries.  ;)
Embarrassment and shame are more the correct description.  :tease:  :D
 

Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Irisado on March 21, 2013, 12:05:43 PM
Or maybe it's a reflection on how much Marussia has improved as well ;).  Note that Williams had a terrible car in 2010, but were still miles ahead of the Marussia.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 21, 2013, 08:29:06 PM
If there is an improvement of Marussia, that is only in the hand of Jules Bianchi, because other car of the team, in the hand of Max Chilton was no way near the Williams. The initial program of Luiz Razia's drive would not have resulted drawing comparison with Williams. Marussia got themselves a bargain with this guy. I am sure he will be the replacement of Felipe Massa in Ferrari in 2015-2016 season
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Irisado on March 21, 2013, 08:46:55 PM
Chilton was badly delayed by a long pit stop for a replacement front wing, and damage check though, and then got held up by Van de Garde, so there were mitigating circumstances.  I do agree that Bianchi looks very impressive though.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 21, 2013, 10:13:09 PM
Taking nothing away from Marussia, rather congratulating them for choosing Jules, and preparing two cars which completed the grand Prix. If they keep this sort of form, I think Caterham have to swallow the 11th constructor place for sure. I think the KERS system is really working in favor of them.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Irisado on March 21, 2013, 10:21:33 PM
Caterham look in as poor a shape as I expected from testing.  Pic is solid, but I'm dubious about Van de Garde.  He looks a bit off the pace to me, so that's not going to help.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: cosworth151 on March 22, 2013, 01:56:25 AM
Personally, I think the biggest advantage that Marussia-Cosworth have over Williams and Caterham is their engines!  ;)
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: F1fanaticBD on March 22, 2013, 05:14:56 PM
Personally, I think the biggest advantage that Marussia-Cosworth have over Williams and Caterham is their engines!  ;)

 :DD :DD :DD Cossie, oh our dear Cossie
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: 1234agr on March 24, 2013, 12:42:08 AM
I was at the race in Melbourne, it was hot, cold, and wet, but not all at once.
The McLarens were dogs, why don't they get old man Dyson to sort out the aero? He'd do a better job!
And that front suspension is too stiff. The only suspension there at the moment is from the tyre sidewalls. Allow it to move a little, makes the kerbs and rumble-strips easier. I saw the rear suspension on the rear of Jenson's car at practice in Malaysia. Could that be too soft and the front too hard?? Take a look at the Lotus and others. A change in these area's could make overall set-up easier.
Only thing I didn't like in Melbourne was the loud booing for Vettel on the podium. That sort of thing should be saved for anything outrageous and maybe the soccer crowds.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Irisado on March 24, 2013, 04:53:07 PM
Only thing I didn't like in Melbourne was the loud booing for Vettel on the podium. That sort of thing should be saved for anything outrageous and maybe the soccer crowds.

I thought that I heard that on the BBC coverage.  I agree that this was unfortunate.  As much as I dislike Vettel, booing him on the podium isn't very sporting (although he himself isn't always especially sporting).
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: Scott on March 24, 2013, 05:59:19 PM
I agree.  I think silence is a much better message for a crowd to send in ANY setting.
Title: Re: Australia begins the fiesta
Post by: lkjohnson1950 on March 24, 2013, 10:49:54 PM
Sorry, as a genuwine, red blooded, murican boy I claim the right to boo anyone. Seb seems to be a very worthy target. Nuff said!
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