The Official 2017 Australian Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say that Antonio did a great job (only one hour's practice) that is what you call making a statement.


I don't want to rain on the parade but I still think it'll be a one horse race because:

1) The Mercedes (in Lewis's hands) will be to strong I reckon around 2/10ths at most circuits

2) Unfortunately the 2017 aero package will mean that you can't follow closely

There is a shimmer of light that the new start procedures might mix up the odd race but overall it'll be Mercedes cleaning up.

[poo at Paul's]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say that Antonio did a great job (only one hour's practice) that is what you call making a statement.


I don't want to rain on the parade but I still think it'll be a one horse race because:

1) The Mercedes (in Lewis's hands) will be to strong I reckon around 2/10ths at most circuits

2) Unfortunately the 2017 aero package will mean that you can't follow closely

There is a shimmer of light that the new start procedures might mix up the odd race but overall it'll be Mercedes cleaning up.

Who else is thinking Werhlein's tactics were to never race, but to scupper reserve drivers chances by sitting in the car all weekend til the last minute?

[moffspeed]

I think an emerging theme is going to become how these new cars are seemingly unsalvageable once they begin to spin (Danny Ric today, JP and others previously) , consensus seems to be that the shark's fin is the major contributory factor to this. Seems ironic given the fact that they were introduced in the WEC to enhance stability and to prevent low level flight.

Aesthetics is one thing, driver safety another, what's the money on an FIA in-season ban ?? 1969 all over again..

[MockingJay]

ZX10R NIN said:

I have to say that Antonio did a great job (only one hour's practice) that is what you call making a statement.


I don't want to rain on the parade but I still think it'll be a one horse race because:

1) The Mercedes (in Lewis's hands) will be to strong I reckon around 2/10ths at most circuits

2) Unfortunately the 2017 aero package will mean that you can't follow closely

There is a shimmer of light that the new start procedures might mix up the odd race but overall it'll be Mercedes cleaning up.

I don't think it will be just Lewis. He's prone to a poor start and the odd sh*t race. Ferrari are usually very good from the start, I can see Vettel doing Hamilton into T1 (I can envision Hamilton being P5-6 by T2 tbh) and fighting it out from there. Throw in the inevitable carnage the first corner will bring on lap one and Ferrari f*cking up strategy, I think we're in for a good race..

[suffolk009]

I'm enjoying PAt Symonds on the Sky team.

Ted: So those barge board vanes are acting like a coarse comb on the air.
Pat: No, not really.

[Crafty_]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Any thoughts on Giovanazzi then? He was on for a storming lap before running wide on the second last corner. Could he take the seat from Werlein?

I think more people will be taking notice of him now than they were last year when he was trying to get a reverse/test drive. Lets hope he puts in a sensible race tomorrow and doesn't go knocking wings etc off - if he can manage it it'll raise his stock further.

poo at Paul's said:

Who else is thinking Werhlein's tactics were to never race, but to scupper reserve drivers chances by sitting in the car all weekend til the last minute?

I agree with Brundle on this, stop being a nancy boy and drive the flipping car, take a few pain killers if you need to. How would he have survived in the 80s when cars were utterly exhausting to drive ? blisters from gear shifts etc. After his F3000 accident Herbert used to alternate his braking foot every few laps because it hurt so much.

I wonder if he was worried about being upstaged by Ericsson ?

I think Wehrlien's stock has dropped since his debut, mutterings of being awkward to work with, doesn't appear to have trained enough or properly. You think Mark Webber badly broke a leg in the off season but was ready for the next f1 season, 200kg force on the brake pedal and all. He also doesn't appear to be all that fast, although its hard to judge given his team mates. I think it says a lot that he was passed over for Bottas for the Merc seat.

[moffspeed]

Incidentally, I visit the William Hill website twice a year, once for the Grand National and then for the 1st GP of the season, the theory for the latter being that the bookies have little form to go on and there are some generous odds amongst all but the front runners.

So, as of yesterday, a modest sum of money on Grosjean at 1000/1 (!) for a race win - bring on the Merc/Ferrari first corner tangle ! As a back up - Hulkenberg (500/1) and Sainz (750/1) as each way bets...

No such long odds on their site today but Perez at 150/1 for a podium finish could be an outside punt (FIs always strong in Oz) ??

Edited by moffspeed on Saturday 25th March 08:46

[Crafty_]

Forgot to say - genuinely impressed by Haas and Grosjean. Lets hope they can keep the pace up all season this year.

[paua]

Crafty_ said:

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Any thoughts on Giovanazzi then? He was on for a storming lap before running wide on the second last corner. Could he take the seat from Werlein?

I think more people will be taking notice of him now than they were last year when he was trying to get a reverse/test drive. Lets hope he puts in a sensible race tomorrow and doesn't go knocking wings etc off - if he can manage it it'll raise his stock further.

poo at Paul's said:

Who else is thinking Werhlein's tactics were to never race, but to scupper reserve drivers chances by sitting in the car all weekend til the last minute?

I agree with Brundle on this, stop being a nancy boy and drive the flipping car, take a few pain killers if you need to. How would he have survived in the 80s when cars were utterly exhausting to drive ? blisters from gear shifts etc. After his F3000 accident Herbert used to alternate his braking foot every few laps because it hurt so much.

I wonder if he was worried about being upstaged by Ericsson ?

I think Wehrlien's stock has dropped since his debut, mutterings of being awkward to work with, doesn't appear to have trained enough or properly. You think Mark Webber badly broke a leg in the off season but was ready for the next f1 season, 200kg force on the brake pedal and all. He also doesn't appear to be all that fast, although its hard to judge given his team mates. I think it says a lot that he was passed over for Bottas for the Merc seat.

I seem to recall Niki Lauda driving with some injuries, not just the post 'Ring ones either - damaged ribs after an incident with a tractor springs to mind...

[another 3 points]

Crafty_ said:

I agree with Brundle on this, stop being a nancy boy and drive the flipping car, take a few pain killers if you need to. How would he have survived in the 80s when cars were utterly exhausting to drive ? blisters from gear shifts etc. After his F3000 accident Herbert used to alternate his braking foot every few laps because it hurt so much.

I wonder if he was worried about being upstaged by Ericsson ?

I think Wehrlien's stock has dropped since his debut, mutterings of being awkward to work with, doesn't appear to have trained enough or properly. You think Mark Webber badly broke a leg in the off season but was ready for the next f1 season, 200kg force on the brake pedal and all. He also doesn't appear to be all that fast, although its hard to judge given his team mates. I think it says a lot that he was passed over for Bottas for the Merc seat.

Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. I'm sure he'll regret this come the end of the season.

[ZX10R NIN]

Crafty_ said:

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Any thoughts on Giovanazzi then? He was on for a storming lap before running wide on the second last corner. Could he take the seat from Werlein?

I think more people will be taking notice of him now than they were last year when he was trying to get a reverse/test drive. Lets hope he puts in a sensible race tomorrow and doesn't go knocking wings etc off - if he can manage it it'll raise his stock further.

poo at Paul's said:

Who else is thinking Werhlein's tactics were to never race, but to scupper reserve drivers chances by sitting in the car all weekend til the last minute?

I agree with Brundle on this, stop being a nancy boy and drive the flipping car, take a few pain killers if you need to. How would he have survived in the 80s when cars were utterly exhausting to drive ? blisters from gear shifts etc. After his F3000 accident Herbert used to alternate his braking foot every few laps because it hurt so much.

I wonder if he was worried about being upstaged by Ericsson ?

I think Wehrlien's stock has dropped since his debut, mutterings of being awkward to work with, doesn't appear to have trained enough or properly. You think Mark Webber badly broke a leg in the off season but was ready for the next f1 season, 200kg force on the brake pedal and all. He also doesn't appear to be all that fast, although its hard to judge given his team mates. I think it says a lot that he was passed over for Bottas for the Merc seat.

Lorenzo (insert most motorcycle racers) breaks his collarbone in qualifying has overnight surgery & races the next day, Pascal man the fk up!!

If Antonio's performance doesn't help his injuries heal nothing will & it also adds weight to the talk that Pascal is hard to work with & not a team player.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 25th March 09:01

[Vaud]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lorenzo (insert most motorcycle racers) breaks his collarbone in qualifying has overnight surgery & races the next day, Pascal man the fk up!!

If Antonio's performance doesn't help his injuries heal nothing will & it also adds weight to the talk that Pascal is hard to work with & not a team player.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 25th March 09:01

On the other hand, you could argue that telling the team that you aren't ready/fit is more mature and more of a team player than stopping on lap 20 because you can't carry on?

[London424]

Wow that car is on rails! Lewis pole lap.

https://twitter.com/f1/status/845561995973705730

ETA: watch how early on corner exit he can go full throttle...very impressive driving.

Edited by London424 on Saturday 25th March 09:26

[Vocal Minority]

Grip on tap.

Pretty amazing.

Anyway - small bit of business for when Tommunster turns up.

From the first test thread

tommunster10 said:

Vocal Minority said:

You're on.

I will settle for a Mercedes 1-2 as that is easy to define.

We can then have a friendly debate about what constitutes a class B car!

The bet is £10 I give to charity if another car gets on front row, or if it is Merc 1-2 you give £10 to charity.
You seem to be saying you don't think Merc will be the car to beat again.

https://www.justgiving.com/acorns

I fundraiser/volunteer here from time to time and I am sure they would be grateful for a tenner.

Thanks old sport

[Mr_Thyroid]

London424 said:

Wow that car is on rails! Lewis pole lap.

https://twitter.com/f1/status/845561995973705730

ETA: watch how early on corner exit he can go full throttle...very impressive driving.

Edited by London424 on Saturday 25th March 09:26

Smooth from Lewis - Bottas seemed to be drifting the car a lot more.

[DanielSan]

Vocal Minority said:

https://www.justgiving.com/acorns

I fundraiser/volunteer here from time to time and I am sure they would be grateful for a tenner.

Thanks old sport

This could be interesting

[Pickled]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Bottas-I didn't expect the gap to be that big. I know everyone says it's his first race weekend with the car but he'll have been in that simulator 24/7 so it really shouldn't be too unknown for him. I think he's got a good steady head for races but his natural speed doesn't seem to be in the same league as Nico. One things for sure, Mercedes will not be happy at him letting a Ferrari get in the mix.

Who's to say how good Nico would perform in these new cars, both DR and Verstappen seem to be struggling to get to terms with them, Max performed well below par this weekend, although I do think Red Bull will improve significantly during the season.

[ClockworkCupcake]

Just caught up now having watched quali on time delay.

Is it just me, or has Ted Kravitz got rather irritating in his Notebook walks? I used to enjoy them, but he seems to have got rather rambling and disjointed. Perhaps he's always been like that and it never bothered me in the past, but it is starting to irritate me now.

[Bradgate]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Just caught up now having watched quali on time delay.

Is it just me, or has Ted Kravitz got rather irritating in his Notebook walks? I used to enjoy them, but he seems to have got rather rambling and disjointed. Perhaps he's always been like that and it never bothered me in the past, but it is starting to irritate me now.

Agreed. Ted's doing too much of the bumbling twit act. Or perhaps it's not an act....

[Pickled]

ClockworkCupcake said:

Just caught up now having watched quali on time delay.

Is it just me, or has Ted Kravitz got rather irritating in his Notebook walks? I used to enjoy them, but he seems to have got rather rambling and disjointed. Perhaps he's always been like that and it never bothered me in the past, but it is starting to irritate me now.

His interviewing technique is poor these days, he was trying to provoke a reaction from Paddy Lowe earlier, and you could see Arrivabene getting very pissed off with him last season (he blanked him today) - He needs to realise he's not Paxman, and is acting more like Kay Burley, maybe all Sky reporters attend the same interview course.