Official 2025 Australian Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Byker28i]

Speaking of Perez damage, I see the FIA have changed rules after last years Canadian GP where Perez returned to the Red Bull garage with a badly damaged car following a crash.

Rather than retire the car, the team was trying to avoid a safety car to protect the position of Max Verstappen, who went on to win the race, so asked Perez to limp the car back. Perez got a three-place grid penalty for the next race for his actions.

The new regulation reads: "Any driver whose car has significant and obvious damage to a structural component which results in it being in a condition presenting an immediate risk of endangering the driver or others, or whose car has a significant failure or fault which means it cannot reasonably return to the pit lane without unnecessarily impeding another competitor or otherwise hindering the competition must leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so.

Also cars starting from the pit lane now have to do the formation lap as well
https://racingnews365.com/fia-makes-f1-rule-change...

[Byker28i]

MrBig said:

Looking forward to this. I'm going for Piastri in a slippery McLaren with the fresh season and the home crowd cheering him on. Probably from P2 on the grid slipping past Lando in the first few corners and heading up a decent battle between the Prancing Horses and the leading RedBull.

Bernie Collins was saying the testing had Red Bull looking for answers, she thinks they are off the pace. Interesting.

[PhilAsia]

Derek Smith said:

I can't see Red Bull being midfield. It'll be up at the front despite the self-deprecating nonsense they've been spouting.

With Herbert out of the picture I expect three tenths a lap and an extra pitstop...

[MontyPythonX]

RacingNews365 said:

When the green lights on the start gantry are illuminated, all cars on the grid able to do so should begin the formation lap with the pole position driver leading. When leaving the grid all drivers must respect the pit lane speed limit until they pass pole position.

I cant wait for half the grid to get speeding penalties in the first few races.

[RichB]

Arrivalist said:

Derek Smith said:

KobayashiMaru86 said:

I'm a Mclaren fan but I'm cautiously optimistic. I know the others say they have a big advantage but testing is testing and the mind games have started already. We don't know who is sandbagging and for all we know, Ferrari could win the first one. I'm hoping Norris does have a strong enough start to stay ahead all year. Piastri will be close all year too.

I love the 'I'm a McLaren fan but I'm cautiously optimistic. A phrase that resonates with all us McL fans.

Indeed it does. I want Lewis to win and I want him to get his 8th WDC but as a team supporter, it’s always been McLaren and Williams for me for historic personal and sentimental reasons.

I'm the same, i wnt Hamilton to win and get his 8th WDC at a 3rd manufaturer. From a team perspective I've always supported Williams right back to Keke Rosberg.

[Zag_a_muffin]

So up late thurs to see who's been sandbagging, early Sat for qualifying followed by a full day of 6 nations then 4am start on Sunday. What stimulants do you recommend?

[vaud]

Zag_a_muffin said:

So up late thurs to see who's been sandbagging, early Sat for qualifying followed by a full day of 6 nations then 4am start on Sunday. What stimulants do you recommend?

Sleep and a torrent of the race which will be ready by the time you wake up (or if they reshow on NowTV)

[tight fart]

MontyPythonX said:

RacingNews365 said:

When the green lights on the start gantry are illuminated, all cars on the grid able to do so should begin the formation lap with the pole position driver leading. When leaving the grid all drivers must respect the pit lane speed limit until they pass pole position.

I cant wait for half the grid to get speeding penalties in the first few races.

So practice starts for the front 2 rows at most.

[WestyCarl]

Zag_a_muffin said:

So up late thurs to see who's been sandbagging, early Sat for qualifying followed by a full day of 6 nations then 4am start on Sunday. What stimulants do you recommend?

First time in maybe 10yrs I have it live (and not highlights), I'll be up at 16:00 to get my £15 / m worth

Anything but Redbull.........

[paulguitar]

WestyCarl said:

I'll be up at 16:00 to get my £15 / m worth

I think you might miss it if you get up then.

[WestyCarl]

paulguitar said:

WestyCarl said:

I'll be up at 16:00 to get my £15 / m worth

I think you might miss it if you get up then.

|I'm just used to watching it long after it's finished, old habits and all that

[EmailAddress]

All the Teams are British.

We invented it.

Start Time should always be 1pm GMT.

Wot, wot.

[TVR Sagaris]

Delighted to see this thread and the start of the season.

[Sandpit Steve]

Arrivalist said:

Indeed it does.

I want Lewis to win and I want him to get his 8th WDC but as a team supporter, it’s always been McLaren and Williams for me for historic personal and sentimental reasons.

Indeed. Always been a fan of McLaren and WIlliams, plus whoever was the top British driver in any given season.

It’s been more than 30 years since I’ve wanted Ferrari to win a race, going to feel a little weird cheering for the red cars this year but would really love to see Lewis get that 8th title.

[Sandpit Steve]

Zag_a_muffin said:

So up late thurs to see who's been sandbagging, early Sat for qualifying followed by a full day of 6 nations then 4am start on Sunday. What stimulants do you recommend?

Yes it’s a somewhat annoying fixture clash, to have that excuse to spend ten hours in the pub with a large group of friends that is the last day of the Six Nations, to be on the same weekend as the first race of the F1 season.

Six hours between the end of the last rugby match and the start of the race. I think I might just crash on the sofa and set several alarms, to avoid waking up Wifey in the middle of the night!

[......]

tight fart said:

MontyPythonX said:

RacingNews365 said:

When the green lights on the start gantry are illuminated, all cars on the grid able to do so should begin the formation lap with the pole position driver leading. When leaving the grid all drivers must respect the pit lane speed limit until they pass pole position.

I cant wait for half the grid to get speeding penalties in the first few races.

So practice starts for the front 2 rows at most.

That is such a dumb change if that refers to the actual race start... But it could be about the formation lap. Not clear.

[Dashnine]

...... said:

That is such a dumb change if that refers to the actual race start... But it could be about the formation lap. Not clear.

“(RED) Lights out and away we go” - race start. Green lights coming on - formation lap. Pretty clear.

[mk1coopers]

Thanks for the thread PiaP, I’ve gone for Lewis too, for the same reason as others have, I’d like to see another Championship for him with a 3rd constructor.

Should be an interesting season, I’m expecting lots of protesting other cars from RB if they are lower down the field, and a return to type from their lead driver, team radio could get spicy

[Jasandjules]

mk1coopers said:

Should be an interesting season, I’m expecting lots of protesting other cars from RB if they are lower down the field, and a return to type from their lead driver, team radio could get spicy

Not to mention a return to type in respect of "racing". So crashes galore......

[Liamjrhodes]

So excited for the start of the new season, the end of last season feels like an eternity ago!

Another vote for Hamilton, I have everything crossed he can pull out an 8th world title