The Official 2017 Australian Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**
Discussion
It's the start of another Formula 1 season and less than a week until the first race. Get your predictions in - perhaps a slightly trickier task this time around.
Dates: Friday 24 – Sunday 26 March 2017
Race weekend timings (local time)
| Practice 1 | Fri | 1200 – 1330 |
| Practice 2 | Fri | 1600 – 1730 |
| Practice 3 | Sat | 1400 – 1500 |
| Qualifying | Sat | 1700 – 1800 |
| Race | Sun | 1600 – 1800 |
UK timings
These are timings when the session starts, so if you want to catch the build up, tune in a little earlier than the times below. Note that the clocks go forward on Sunday morning so the 05:00 GMT race start becomes 06:00 BST.
Sky F1 (Live):
| Practice 1 | Fri | 0100 |
| Practice 2 | Fri | 0500 |
| Practice 3 | Sat | 0300 |
| Qualifying | Sat | 0600 |
| Race | Sun | 0600 |
Channel 4 (Highlights show only):
| Qualifying | Sat | 1300 - 1450 |
| Race | Sun | 1400 - 1640 |
Circuit:
Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
| No. of laps | 58 |
| Length of a lap | 5.303 km |
| Race distance | 307.574 km |
| Race lap record | 1:24.125 (L29; M. Schumacher, 2004) |
2016 race stats:
| P1 | N. Rosberg | Mercedes AMG F1 | 1:48:15.565 |
| P2 | L. Hamilton | Mercedes AMG F1 | +8.060 |
| P3 | S. Vettel | Scuderia Ferrari | +9.643 |
Pole: 1:23.837 (L. Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1)
Fastest race lap: 1:28.997 (L49; D. Ricciardo, Red Bull-TAG Heuer)
Weather forecast here
Due to this place having a lake, it is said that this circuit has its own microclimate, so take the forecast with caution.
Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant (26C/17C)
Saturday: Some sun with a shower (26C/17C)
Sunday: Mostly sunny (26C/18C)
Live timing for all sessions are available here
Tyre choices available: Ultrasoft, supersoft, soft.
2017 Season Changes
https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/inside-f1...
Key car changes are:
- Tyres
- Front wing
- Rear wing and rear diffuser
- Annoying fins (not Finns)
- Sidepods
- Weight
Wet-weather standing starts
If a safety car is deemed to be required for the beginning of a race due to wet weather, unlike previously a normal standing start will occur once the track is deemed safe to race. The process will see the safety car return to the pit lane and the cars assemble on the grid for the start.
Helmet livery
Drivers must continue to use essentially the same helmet design at all races for easy recognition of the driver in the car. However, each driver is now allowed to use a special livery at one event of his choosing, such as a home race for example. Drivers will also be allowed to change their helmet liveries if changing teams during the season.
Enjoy!
ps. Thanks to Dr Z for all the work put in previously.
Edited by TheInternet on Sunday 19th March 14:54
Woody said:
Honda to have worked their ass off for the last couple of weeks and actually produce an engine with a decent amount of power that won't vibrate itself to death.
Interesting prediction.May I suggest a sweepstake for the number of laps the new McLaren will complete? Winner gets the bottle of beer in the OP.
Given their current best is 11 in one go I'll choose 12 because I'm an optimist like that.
Vaud said:
Wow. I feel 25 years younger!
Page number is wrong though.
Indeed, 360 was correct.Page number is wrong though.
Screengrab was from http://pagesfromceefax.net/
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