THE OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN F1 GP THREAD INCLUDING SPOILERS

[kevin ritson]

/Takes bull by the horns

Post up all predictions/reaction here and no-one will miss out if they're not watching the race live

So, who d'ya reckon? Raikkonen or Alonso or will their team-mates pull off a surprise? Maybe a Melbourne shock result at this untypical circuit?

[ewenm]

I had completely forgotted it all starts this weekend. Already trying to work out if I can extend my St Patricks Day through to 3am. I suppose it depends when the local shuts...

As for the race, I'm looking forward to seeing what the rookies can do.

[kevin ritson]

Excellent, I've helped someone out already

Yes, I'm really looking forward to seeing what Hamilton and Kovalinen can do with front-running machinery

[Goochie]

I predict both Mclarens will fail to finish.

Ferrai will struggle to find the pace and Renault will win.

Button will finish in 6th place or below.

Edited by Goochie on Thursday 15th March 12:40

[stumartin]

Goochie said:

I predict both Mclarens will fail to finish.

Ferrai will struggle to find the pace and Renault will win.

Button will finish in 6th place or below.

Edited by Goochie on Thursday 15th March 12:40

Wasn't that last year?

[zac510]

1pm on Thursday and we have spoilers already, great!

[fidgits]

I've set the HDD recorder to record both the qually and race, so i dont have to get up too early, but can watch it as soon as i am


As for predictions - I actually think the McLarens will do really well, Alonso either winning or retiring with technical problems. I think Massa will challenge him, but Kimi will put a solid, but boring 3rd or 4th performance in.

[kevin ritson]

zac510 said:

1pm on Thursday and we have spoilers already, great!

The idea is that there's just one thread to cover the race weekend so no-one gets caught out if they're not up to speed. Might as well cover the build-up as by tomorrow morning we'll have had the first day's running.

[MrKipling43]

Hmmm, I think Raikkonen will struggle (a bit) in his first race but I don't think Massa will take it. I'm gonna go for Alonso in first, Massa in second with Raikkonen VERY close third.

Heidfeld will fight with Kubica and Hamilton for fourth; with the Hondas of Button and Bazza (in that order) in the last two points positions.

[gt]

i've had a bit of an outside flutter on Kubica at 29/1 - think those odds are a bit long for someone who has been right up there on the pace in winter testing.

[fidgits]

gt said:

i've had a bit of an outside flutter on Kubica at 29/1 - think those odds are a bit long for someone who has been right up there on the pace in winter testing.

na - he started last season strong but fell of the pace towards the end.

If BMW have a good car, he might be up the thick end, but i dont forsee a podium unless he drastically improves as the season continues..

[Gruffy]

MrKipling43 said:

Hmmm, I think Raikkonen will struggle (a bit) in his first race but I don't think Massa will take it. I'm gonna go for Alonso in first, Massa in second with Raikkonen VERY close third.

Heidfeld will fight with Kubica and Hamilton for fourth; with the Hondas of Button and Bazza (in that order) in the last two points positions.

My thoughts exactly!

[runnersp]

Alonso will take an early lead and then his McLaren engine will expire in a most dramatic fashion. Massa will stuff the start completely and head off into the woods, leaving Fisichella to win, Button to come in second and a surprising Heikki Kovalainen third.

[stephen300o]

runnersp said:

Alonso will take an early lead and then his McLaren engine will expire in a most dramatic fashion. Massa will stuff the start completely and head off into the woods, leaving Fisichella to win, Button to come in second and a surprising Heikki Kovalainen third.

leaving Fisichella to win

[loneranger]

Button has a good chance to suprise. He is settled in the team and was the best point scoring driver over the last few races last season. A nice bet. He became a lot better driver during last season.
There is a high probability of a big shunt with all the new young guns trying to prove themseves.
Coulthard in the points, likewise Kovalainen.
Alonso to win, maybe, if it doesn't break.
Both BMWs to do well.

I think one or more teams will be very embarassed by their results.

[simes205]

Australian Grand Prix, Free practice session 2 results

1. MASSA Ferrari 1m27.353s
2. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m27.750s
3. HAMILTON McLaren 1m27.829s
4. FISICHELLA Renault 1m27.941s
5. HEIDFELD BMW 1m27.970s
6. WURZ Williams 1m27.981s
7. ALONSO Mclaren 1m28.040s
8. ROSBERG Williams 1m28.055s
9. KUBICA BMW 1m28.281s
10. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m28.495s
11. DAVIDSON Super Aguri 1m28.727s
12. TRULLI Toyota 1m28.921s
13. SATO Super Aguri 1m29.009s
14. BUTTON Honda 1m29.066s
15. BARRICHELLO Honda 1m29.542s
16. R SCHUMACHER Toyota 1m29.574s
17. WEBBER Red Bull 1m29.801s
18. KOVALAINEN Renault 1m30.097s
19. SPEED Toro Rosso 1m30.383s
20. SUTIL Spyker 1m31.108s
21. ALBERS Spyker 1m31.175s
22. LIUZZI Toro Rosso 1m31.693s

[landy_girl]

HAMILTON is doing good for the pratice..

[julesv]

Would be great to see the Williams do well.

[furtive]

LOL - that new Honda is rubbish

[MrKipling43]

furtive said:

LOL - that new Honda is rubbish

It would appear that it is. Bad news - they're going to look very foolish this year.