Grand Prix 2012 Australian Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Gentleman, start your engines

Despite it feeling only a few weeks since the season ending Brazilian Grand Prix last November the Australian Grand Prix is coming very quickly into view to start of a season which hopefully promises to be a lot closer than the 2011 season where Sebastian Vettel ran away with the Championship and had it virtually won by mid season.

Looking at testing and it is virtually impossible to see who is in the best shape going into the season opener apart from that Mclaren and Red Bull are the two teams in the best shape which really isn't surprising but the big surprise is the continual lack of pace from Ferrari despite a radical new car (the issues I commented on on a previous thread).

As for the midfield it is anyone's guess as all the midfield have all been up and down the testing rankings throughout the winter and it'll only be qualifying where we see a true reflection of where the grid is in terms of reliability. Without a doubt Lotus have had the most work to do after they had to make a major chassis change involving suspension mounts which meant abandoning one of the test sessions but that doesn't seem to have had a major effect on the team and with Kimi Raikkonen at the wheel it is hoped that they can challenge Mercedes after a fairly disappointing 2011 after a strong start.

Once again HRT are the joke of the entire grid as they once again go into the first race of the season without having so much as turned the wheel before after crash test problems earlier this year and it will be a miracle if they actually qualify as they failed to do so in Melbourne in 2011, but they could be joined by Marussia who have also had problems with their new car and have had to test with a modified 2011 car recently and they will also be struggling to even qualify for Melbourne which isn't good news for the team unless they can pull a rabbit out of the hat with the new car.

This seasons cars (apart from Mclaren) are characterised by the distinctive stepped nose due to new regulations about front wing height and this is how the vast majority of teams have interpreted this rule and it seems that only Mclaren are running a 'smooth' nose and it remains to be seen whether this was a correct decision and one that can mean they can challenge for the title after an average 2011 (unless you're Button of course)

For the British viewers 2012 is going to be a completely different viewing experience as Formula One is going to be broadcast on satellite television for the first time. When it was announced that Sky would be broadcasting F1 with BBC showing only half of the races (live) it was met with uproar from all quarters but as more details have been announced, many fans (me included) are rather looking forward to the full F1 package that is being provided this season with the F1 channel being launched in a matter of days!

For Galahads brilliant circuit write up, see here http://cliptheapex.com/pages/melbourne-grand-prix-circuit-albert-park/

 

[LifeW12]

Looking forward to the overtaking list from this race, I can already list one that won't count

Vettel on Schumacher: Schumacher off circuit, lost gears

 

[F1Yorkshire]

The last lap overtakes will take some sorting. Good luck with that G!

 

[GeoffP]

Impressed with Red Bull race pace. I am wondering if the McLaren suffers too much behind other cars. Lewis did not seem comfortable inside a 3 second gap, hopefully it wasn't aero as that will not bode well for them as the season develops.

 

[EvilWhippet]

I know it's only the first race, so he could turn it around, but how many of those performences does Bruno have to put in before he's had enough "fair chances?"

 

[Johnny Carwash]

Well done Jenson good win for him today, seemed to have the race under control as soon as he got into turn 1 in the lead.

 

[Mephistopheles]

With all the nonsense talked about the qualifying I would just like to say,,,, where is the I'm chuffed smiley?

 

[Tacitus]

GOOD BODY COUNT I.E RETIREMENTS.

 

[Kewee]

Think it's confirmed what we already knew, Mclaren and Red Bull have the fastest cars but Mclaren have got the edge at the moment.

Very true. Thankfully Ferrari are maybe quite a bit better than we thought also. No doubt they'll be working very very hard for the start of the European season. It would be great to see them come into the mix also.

 

[EvilWhippet]

I'm remembering 08, all you had to do to score in that race was finish.

 

[tranquility2k9]

I think McLaren got it wrong at the pit stops. Mostly at the 1st pit stops. It was the same old story of Lewis needing to pit first as Jenson had a comfortable gap and had tyres in better condition and by keeping Lewis out he lost a huge amount of time. I know they give their first driver preference, but I think they need to look at the bigger picture sometimes if they want to get more 1-2s.

I also think there was no need to double-pit both drivers. If he'd have pitted the same lap as Vettel then he'd of stayed ahead.

 

[Johnny Carwash]

Very true. Thankfully Ferrari are maybe quite a bit better than we thought also. No doubt they'll be working very very hard for the start of the European start of the season. It would be great to see them come into the mix also.

By Ferrari i think you mean Alonso as Massa was a disaster today.

 

[KekeTheKing]

It's true tranq but there's no denying that Jense won the race off the line. Lewis gave it away at the start.

SC was unfortunate.

 

[OnTheLimit]

Very good race. Fernando Alonso was absolutely immense...just goes to show what a top driver can do in a difficult to drive, average car. Great win for Button, suprising to see him beat Lewis straight out for pace

Wheres he got this pace from

 

[F1ang-o]

Loved it when Kimi got on the radio & asked why he was getting all the blue flags.
Reply...they are not for you, they are for the cars you are lapping.

 

[KekeTheKing]

So much to talk about in this GP.

Chump of the weekend is secure though. Pastor, that's you.

Kobayashi on the limit as always.

Pirelli prime being the tire of choice.

Pace of the midfield.

Nando dragging the Ferrari around.

Rosberg's GP struggles continue.

and more

 

[RasputinLives]

so last night I built myself a private jet and flew over to europe(honest). I watched it live on Speed and it kept me awake at least.

Flawless drive from Jenson

A little bit of luck but good recovery drive from Vettel(although in the interview he looked like he might have been overdoing the Bratwurst over the summer)

Lewis was unlucky with the safety car but I think the gloomy look he had in the press conference is a bit pissemistic - he got out driven by Jenson today but I'm sure they'll be days when its the other way round and at least Mclaren have given him the car this year.

Got to give Fernando props for getting that awful car to 5th

Kobi once again picks up the results that all the others try their best to throw away.

Bit surprised to hear there being moans about Mclaren's pit strategy (was that moaned about on Sky?) coz they realised after the 1st one that leaving Lewis out for an extra lap was losing him time hence them stacking them the 2nd time round. Would have worked too but for the safety car.

 

[tranquility2k9]

Must be worrying for Lewis with Malaysia coming up. Tyres always degrade a lot there.

 

[Kewee]

By Ferrari i think you mean Alonso as Massa was a disaster today.

Hahahaha. You know me too well. Yes Alonso always gets more from a car than it rightly deserves which is why, with his input they will probably get on top of their issues, though it will take a few more GP's yet.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Massa won't last the season if he's putting in performances like that one.

 

[Josh]

That really was a great race. Jenson drove a great race and Lewis not so much, but he was really unfortunate with the safety car. Vettel had a good race as well, I have to admit I really liked his overtake on Rosberg around the outside.
I was kind of impressed with Maldonado as well, too bad he binned it on the final lap but he was driving a great race until that.
Really impressed by Alonso, too.

Really promising start to the season