2017 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand PrixFormula 1

[niky]

I'm optimistic

Btw: As in all the years before, Vettel's car gets it's own name. Some german papers claim to know it already. It's "Gina" which might come from Regina, which is latin for Queen. Or Gina Wild, who knows.

I'd suggest something else, but it's not fit for public consumption.

-

Keeping this bookmarked:
https://www.hasstrollcrashedyet.com

Who wants to bet he'll double his count this weekend?

Three practice sessions, qualifying and a race... that's more than enough opportunity, right?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Taking bets on how long each of us think McLaren will last. I say Alonso breaks down lap 15, and Stoff makes it short of the checkered by 10 laps.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I'm optimistic

Btw: As in all the years before, Vettel's car gets it's own name. Some german papers claim to know it already. It's "Gina" which might come from Regina, which is latin for Queen. Or Gina Wild, who knows.

They're pronounced differently - if it sounds like "Regina" then it could be something else...

EDIT: Tree'd by @niky, dammit.

 

[NW48]

Taking bets on how long each of us think McLaren will last. I say lonso breaks down lap 15, and Stoff makes it short of the checkered by 10 laps.

Being an avid McLaren fan, it pains me to even say it, but; Alonso doesn't make it to the grid, Vandoorne gets 32 laps in.

I just hope that McLaren has been sandbagging this whole time and comes out with a 1-2 in qualifying and the race, breaking the lap record and lapping the whole field. Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I just hope that McLaren has been sandbagging this whole time

They have been. Literally. You could switch the RA617H with a sandbag and nobody would be any the wiser.

 

[TenEightyOne]

They have been. Literally. You could switch the RA617H with a sandbag and nobody would be any the wiser.

Spread it out around the deckchair, make a day of it.

 

[ScottPuss20]

All I want to see is Ricciardo get pole, considering that I'll be there to see it... I want to be part of a huge crowd reaction. However it's more likely to go to Bottas or Hamilton... Maybe even Raikkonen if he's good enough.

Qualifying should be great fun to watch. Especially on location...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If Räikkönen can do it, Vettel can.

 

[NW48]

All I want from this race is a three way team battle for the win. It certainly seems possible from testing results, we just need to actually see what happens when all the teams turn the engines up to full wick on a race weekend. Oh, and for McLaren to actually finish on the lead lap. That'll be like a win for me.

 

[05XR8]

Inside Supercars is on(Foxtel) and they have Daniel Ricciardo on standby.

Edit: Pretty much standard questions. Nothing special. Anyway, cool they acknowledge him on Supercars.

 

[Peter.]

I just hope that McLaren has been sandbagging this whole time.

Of course they have. Sand is great for putting out fires after all.

 

[Anghammarad]

All I know is that Alonso will win, comfortably.

 

[NW48]

Really digging McLaren-Honda's solution to their engine troubles.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I don't get it.

 

[Pezzarinho17]

Regarding McLaren, my expectations are so low than I'm wondering whether they will even make it to the end of Q1... I genuinely believe that at least 1 of the cars will be up on stands and parc ferme'd at 1pm Saturday.

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

So Q3 will be 3 cars out or did they adjust qualification since the grid is smaller now ?

Like Q3 is 16 to 20, Q2 11 to 15 and Q1 1 to 10 ?

 

[NW48]

I don't get it.

The only thing there is the front wing. The garbage fire of an engine is missing. And yes, I am aware of why the rest of the car isn't there.

It's a crap joke. A really, really crap joke

 

[prisonermonkeys]

So Q3 will be 3 cars out or did they adjust qualification since the grid is smaller now ?

Nope, it's five out in Q1, five out in Q2 and the top ten go for broke in Q3.

Ideally, the sport should aim for twenty-four cars. Eliminate eight in Q1, eight in Q2, and the final eight have a one-lap shootout like in V8 Supercars.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Q3 a 1-lap shootout? I'd be behind that! But how would the timings work? Lets assume it's Spa and soaking wet, so laptimes of around 2 minutes each. 2*8=16 minutes, plus and outlap at the start - so 18 minutes. You'd have to cut Q's 1&2 down a bit to fit it in, 15 and 12 mins respectively, but it might work.
But when we get to a dry Austria and these new cars are doing 1:02's or something ridiculous like that, it would lead to a lot of dead time on track.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Q3 a 1-lap shootout? I'd be behind that! But how would the timings work?

I wouldn't limit it to one hour. I'd budget it for two hours - or maybe an hour and a half - and let it run for as long as it runs.

As for the possibility of wet weather, it has been a problem at Bathurst. Usually the top ten shootout is run in reverse order, with the slowest driver going first and the fastest driver last - but if the weather turns late in the session, running last can be a serious disadvantage. It's not a serious issue in a 1000km race, but it would be pretty controversial if, say Hamilton was fastest at the end of Q2, but got caught out by wet weather and qualified tenth.

So what I would do is this: have an extended break at the end of Q2. The drivers who made it through to Q3 would get to choose their running order in Q3; as the fastest driver, Hamilton would get to pick whether he goes first, last or anywhere in between. Meanwhile, the teams would need to turn the wick up on the cars to optimise lap times - basically, the drivers would have the circuit to themselves for one lap with a car that is pretty much weaponised; maximum pressure and maximum opportunity to nail a perfect lap time. And best of all, everyone would get plenty of television exposure.

 

[daan]

as the fastest driver, Hamilton

Wonders will never cease.

 

[NFSCARBON1]

Spread it out around the deckchair, make a day of it.

 

[MustangManiac]

Being an avid McLaren fan, it pains me to even say it, but; Alonso doesn't make it to the grid, Vandoorne gets 32 laps in.

I just hope that McLaren has been sandbagging this whole time and comes out with a 1-2 in qualifying and the race, breaking the lap record and lapping the whole field. Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway...

I hope the same for Ferrari, I bet I have a better chance of realizing those hopes than you...just sayin'.

Nope, it's five out in Q1, five out in Q2 and the top ten go for broke in Q3.

Ideally, the sport should aim for twenty-four cars. Eliminate eight in Q1, eight in Q2, and the final eight have a one-lap shootout like in V8 Supercars.

They tried "fixing" qualifying once already, remember how that turned out? There is nothing wrong with f1 qually, I suggest we just leave it be.

 

[Dan Hill]

I hope Bottas is close to Hamilton and hopefully the Ferrari and Red Bull are able to compete with them so we get an exciting race. I think the midfield battle will be interesting though. As for McLaren and as a fan of them sadly I can't see either Vandoorne or Alonso finishing the race and will be a struggle getting there by the looks of it. I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

They tried "fixing" qualifying once already, remember how that turned out?

This is a system that is not only used by other series and used very well, but one which has proven extremely popular.

 

[Eva]

Let's go Maranello, let's go!

 

[Bram Turismo]

Regarding McLaren, my expectations are so low than I'm wondering whether they will even make it to the end of Q1... I genuinely believe that at least 1 of the cars will be up on stands and parc ferme'd at 1pm Saturday.

I don't doubt their speed. But neither do I see any of their cars finishing on Sunday, as sad as it is...

 

[Telstar]

Is it bold to believe that at least one McLaren will finish - and not that far off pace or even last?

 

[Tired Tyres]

All I know is that Alonso will win, comfortably.

Yes. He will be first. To retire. Obviously.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Is it bold to believe that at least one McLaren will finish - and not that far off pace or even last?

As long as bold is from the Latin for "somewhere between highly unlikely and insane" then yes, yes it is.