2011 Australian Grand Prix

[C-ZETA]

Webber's matching his best result here so far. That was in his first race for Minardi in 2002...which gives you an idea of how unlucky he is here. Apart from the aforementioned 2002 race, of course.

 

[Rossticles]

I just thought:

This race, and many, could be decided by a driver choosing to, or not to, make a last pit stop. I mean if Vettel's tires drop off severely in the remaining laps would he pit or hope to not lose that much time, and the lead, on scrubbed tires?

 

[Terronium-12]

Interesting bit about RBR and them not using KERS, they're giving up 80 horses but it sure as hell doesn't look to matter. Although...why aren't they using it?

Is it functionally-reliable? Does it offset anything? What?

 

[F1 fan]

Petrov's doing really well.

 

[Mike Rotch]

What this is showing is that RBR's clever mini-KERS is going to come back to haunt them if they dont get into corner 1 first off the grid. Their tyre usage is on the higher end of the top runners and they lack outright straight line pace (made up by sublime cornering).

Tops marks to Perez, agreed.

 

[niky]

Not a major one, just one to bring out a safety car.

As a reminder, we have a rule here regarding crashes:
You will not state a desire to see a driver crash or be injured

Please follow this rule in the future. Thank you.

 

[Grayfox]

RBR not using KERS is very odd.

Maybe that is why Webber did not want to talk about KERS because it is not working.

 

[C-ZETA]

Does Petrov have to stop again? I hope not. Because a podium for him would be a perfect tribute to that terrible accident that Kubica had...

And Perez is pressuring Massa. And it looks like he won't need to stop again!

EDIT: Massa's pitted anyway. At least Button will surely finish ahead of Massa. Revenge for the early part of the race

 

[zdawood89]

Petrov's doing really well.

👍

Just too bad about Kubica. He would have dominated with this Renault chassis.

 

[Crash]

I have to say, that was a pretty good "sod off" pass by Button past Massa.

 

[Akmuq]

Interesting bit about RBR and them not using KERS, they're giving up 80 horses but it sure as hell doesn't look to matter. Although...why aren't they using it?

Is it functionally-reliable? Does it offset anything? What?

If they stay in the draft of the car in the front it can just keep up. I don't think it's possible to overtake in the Red Bull though.

 

[Milldrum]

From the Australian tv show, 'The Games'

"The fastest cars in the world and a race is usually decided when they're parking!" (pits)

 

[Bram Turismo]

+1 on the Pirellis... they're making for a great spectacle. Making tires that suck on purpose? It works.

They don't suck at all. It just seems the three big teams are harder on their tyres than the others. As far as I know Petrov has done max 2 stops and Perez is on a 1-stopper which indicates these 2 drivers have taken extreme good care of their tyres, yet continuing at a very smooth pace throughout the entire stints.

 

[Terronium-12]

If they stay in the draft of the car in the front it can just keep up. I don't think it's possible to overtake in the Red Bull though.

Yeah, they don't really have the top end speed of the McLaren or Ferrari, but that's made up with the cornering capability. And speaking of which, Mark caught up to Alonso incredibly fast.

 

[Akmuq]

Yeah, they don't really have the top end speed of the McLaren or Ferrari, but that's made up with the cornering capability. And speaking of which, Mark caught up to Alonso incredibly fast.

Malaysia will be a very good race. The straights for Mclaren and the turns for Red Bull.
Alonso catching Petrov.


Edit: Petrov safe providing he doesn't make an error.

 

[C-ZETA]

Alonso won't have enough distance to catch Petrov. I hope...

 

[Rossticles]

Vettel wins! Australia has never been a great indicator of season-long performance though.

Hats off to Petrov too. He and Heidfeld may have to change numbers and the T-bar.

That move by Webber going immediately to pit out from the finish was certainly odd. I don't think I've ever seen that.

 

[Tesla]

Vettel, Hamilton, Petrov
EDIT: Tree'd.

 

[F1 fan]

Good race. Well done seb and vitaly.

 

[Grayfox]

Webber parked it, his brakes were smokeing but it looked normal.

 

[Akmuq]

Race over.
Congratulations to Vettel. Webber parks it right at the line?
Good performance from Petrov, a good one from Perez as well.

Entertaining race, Malaysia will be a brilliant race.

 

[C-ZETA]

Congrats to Seb for winning, he was so fast all weekend.

Well done to Petrov for 3rd! Great result after the loss of Kubica for them. Now, if only Heidfeld could do so well...

Well done to Perez as well for having a great first race. Proving the strength of a good strategy...

 

[zdawood89]

Congratulations to Vettel, Hamilton, and Petrov.

Amazing showing by Petrov 👍
He's in my fantasy team.

 

[astrosdude91]

Here I am!

Alright Seb, alright Red Bull!

What happened to Webber though? I guess he didn't want to drive anymore, so he just parked it.

And alright Petrov, nice podium!

Edit: Jesus Christ, Speed. Nobody cares about Cars 2!

 

[Terronium-12]

Really going to be keeping an eye on Petrov, even more so than last season. Well done by Vettel but this season is just beginning and he has a lot to prove as far as I'm concerned. I am surprised Alonso didn't whine though.

Webber pulling off to the side might hint at him having a problem of some kind, or just being displeased with his performance.

 

[Caio_Reinhardt]

Sergio Perez...

 

[Grayfox]

Wonder if Hamilton will get in trouble for the damage done to the car?

 

[Rossticles]

I don't think Petrov knew where to park his Renault.

 

[Omnis]

Awesome. David Hobbs is going to be in Cars 2 as David Hobbscap.

 

[vinny32]

I don't think Petrov knew where to park his Renault.

Agreed. First time on the podium, give the rookie a break.